From The “JPL Universe”
January 8, 1999
By MARY BETH MURRILLNASA and Japan’s space science organization ISAS signed an interim agreement formally establishing the collaboration on the MUSES C sample return and rover mission to an asteroid. Last year, the announcement of opportunity for the MUSES CN science team was released and proposals were received.
In the area of nanorover and spacecraft engineering, the project tested the ISAS-developed heat shield materials at NASA’s Ames Research Center. The engineering models of the motors for the MUSES CN nanorover were delivered to JPL. The rover is about half way finished with its detailed design, said Project Manager Ross Jones. In addition, he said, the electronic boards for the software development model rover were completed.
JPL and The Planetary Society signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the society as an outreach partner with MUSES CN.