Calathus Mission

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of Calathus Mission and everything that this topic/person/date has to offer us. From its impact on society to its relevance in the current context, we will thoroughly analyze each facet of Calathus Mission to provide the reader with a complete and enriching vision. Through data, analysis and expert opinions, we will take another step towards understanding this topic/person/date, inviting us to reflect on its importance and implications in our lives. Get ready to immerse yourself in the exciting universe of Calathus Mission!

Occator Crater on Ceres

Calathus is a proposed student-designed Ceres sample-return mission, that would consist of an orbiter and a lander with an ascent module. The orbiter would be equipped with a camera, a thermal imager, and a radar; the lander will have a sampling arm, a camera, and a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. Mission objective is to return maximum 40 grams (1.4 oz) of Ceresian soil. The mission was designed and proposed in 2018 with support of ESA.

Spacecraft should take samples from Occator Crater, that was studied and photographed by NASA's Dawn. The objectives are:

  • to understand whether Ceres contains the ingredients for life
  • to understand where Ceres was formed
  • to understand whether asteroids like Ceres were responsible for delivering water and organics to Earth

Further reading

  • "The Calathus Mission" (PDF). Alpbach Summer School.
  • "SAMPLE RETURN FROM A RELIC OCEAN WORLD: THE CALATHUS MISSION TO OCCATOR CRATER, CERES" (PDF). 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2020). 2021.

References