The Non-Principal-Axis Rotation and Convex Shape Model of Earth Quasi-Satellite and the Target of China's Tianwen-2 Mission (469219) Kamo`oalewa
The episode discusses a paper modeling Kamo‘oalewa, an Earth quasi-satellite and target of China's Tianwen-2 mission. The key finding is that non-principal axis rotation is the most plausible model for its light curves. The hosts detail the sophisticated methodology used, including triaxial ellipsoidal shape modeling and lightcurve inversion, which provides a physical baseline for future mission planning.