# An Overview of CubeSat Missions and Applications
## 7 CubeSats as Deep-Space Exploration Platforms
### CubeSats as Asteroid Exploration Probes
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d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG) and EmTroniX (Hautcharage, Luxembourg). Juventas is also equipped with the Gravimeter for the Investigation of Small Solar System Bodies (GRASS), a collaboration of the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) with EMXYS (Elche, Spain), via which it is expected to measure gravitational attraction, centrifugal forces, as well as tidal forces. Milani, on the other hand, has been developed by Tyvak International S.r.l. and its main mission involves the surface characterization and the mapping of the global composition of the Didymos asteroids. For this reason, Milani's primary payload is the ASPECT hyperspectral imager which was developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (Espoo, Finland) and is equipped with spectral bands ranging from visible to SWIR wavelengths. The secondary scientific payload of the satellite is the Volatile In Situ Thermogravimetric Analyzer (VISTA) which will be used for the characterization of the dust clouds around the binary asteroid system. VISTA is capable of detecting dust particles smaller than 5 \(\upmu\)m, detecting the presence of volatiles such as water while also being able to perform light organics characterization duties. Furthermore, both Juventas and Milani will be connected to the main HERA probe through ISL, and the three spacecraft together will be used for the measurement of the gravity field of the Didymos binary system through ISL Doppler. In the closing stages of the mission, the two CubeSats will also attempt to land on the Dimorphos asteroid, performing a very low speed impact. During the landing they will utilize their on-board accelerometers, gravimeters, and gyroscopes to measure the impact and bouncing properties, thus providing information about the surface response of the asteroid and by extension, its surface properties [287; 288; 289; 290]. On 13 April 2029, the asteroid 99942 Apophis will approach the Earth at an extremely close distance, reaching a distance of about 32,000 km from the Earth's surface during its closest approach [291]. This expected close approach of Apophis presents a window of opportunity for a variety of proposed missions targeting the asteroid. One of these proposed missions for the study of Apophis is Satis, a 12U CubeSat that would be tasked with mapping the asteroid's inner structure, studying the properties of its regolith, as well as observing and documenting any changes that would occur to Apophis's orbit as a result of its close approach to our planet. To achieve its mission objectives, Satis will be equipped with a hyperspectral imaging system capable of operating in both visible and NIR spectral ranges. Moreover, the satellite is expected to also be equipped with a thermal imaging system, with the inclusion of other secondary payloads such as a laser altimeter, a radar, or a gravimeter also being possible. In a manner similar to the missions of the CubeSats Juventas and Milani, the possibility of eventualy landing Satis on the asteroid is also discussed by the mission design team [292].