(438881) Michaelkhan Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 10 September 2009 by ESA OGS at ESA OGS.
Michael Khan (b. 1962) is a German spaceflight engineer who has played a key role as a mission analyst in numerous ESA missions exploring the solar system. His contributions have been particularly significant for the Rosetta and Hera missions, as well as for upcoming missions such as Comet Interceptor and RAMSES.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #4, 35), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Michaelkhan is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Michaelkhan is 1.88 au from the Sun and 0.942 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 438881 |
| Provisional designation | 2009 RD28 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 17.68 |
| Orbital period | 3.37 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.25 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.86 – 2.63 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.170 |
| Inclination | 5.49° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.871 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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