Asteroid in situ exploration using planetary object geophysical observer (POGO)

Missions to small bodies greatly benefit from landed measurements of surface composition such as from Rosetta Philae and Hayabusa-2 MASCOT. For future rendezvous or sample return missions, a lander could enhance investigation the small body origin by characterizing its geophysical state, mineralogical composition, and abundances of major and key minor elements. The lander can also characterize the mechanical and thermal properties of the regolith, addressing Decadal goals of investigating processes that alter surfaces of solar system bodies. Key challenges in design of such a lander include lack of knowledge of the regolith before arrival, the landing process, power availability, mass constraints, and large diurnal thermal variations. Communication with either the orbiter or direct-to-Earth also requires great flexibility.