Europe plans asteroid sample grab

[Rick]

European scientists and engineers are working on a potential new mission to bring back material from an asteroid.

The venture, known as Marco Polo, could launch in the next decade, and would be designed to learn more about how our Solar System evolved.

The plan is to select a small asteroid - less than 1km across - near Earth and send a spacecraft there to drill for dust and rubble for analysis.

Mission plans are being worked on by UK Astrium and OHB in Germany.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7623411.stm