dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaThreat Mitigation: The Asteroid Tugboat
| Authors | Russell Schweickart, Clark Chapman, Dan Durda, Piet Hut |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0608156 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608156 |
Abstract
The Asteroid Tugboat (AT) is a fully controlled asteroid deflection concept using a robotic spacecraft powered by a high efficiency, electric propulsion system (ion or plasma) which docks with and attaches to the asteroid, conducts preliminary operations, and then thrusts continuously parallel to the asteroid velocity vector until the desired velocity change is achieved. Based on early warning, provided by ground tracking and orbit prediction, it would be deployed a decade or more prior to a potential impact. On completion of the initial rendezvous with the near-Earth object (NEO) the AT would first reduce the uncertainty in the orbit of the asteroid via Earth tracking of its radio transponder while it is station keeping with the asteroid. If on analysis of tracking data a deflection is required the AT would execute a reconnaissance phase collecting and processing information about the physical characteristics of the asteroid to support subsequent operations. The AT would then dock at the appropriate pole (i.e. on the spin axis), attach to the asteroid surface, and initiate a NEO reorientation maneuver. Following completion of the NEO reorientation the AT would initiate the deflection phase by thrusting continuously parallel to the asteroid velocity vector until the resultant target orbit is achieved. The orbit of the asteroid is continuously monitored throughout the deflection process and the end state is known in real time. If one assumes a nuclear-electric propulsion (NEP) system similar to that formerly under development in the recently canceled Prometheus Program, the AT would be capable of deflecting threatening NEOs up to 800 meters in diameter or more.
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"abstract": "The Asteroid Tugboat (AT) is a fully controlled asteroid deflection concept\nusing a robotic spacecraft powered by a high efficiency, electric propulsion\nsystem (ion or plasma) which docks with and attaches to the asteroid, conducts\npreliminary operations, and then thrusts continuously parallel to the asteroid\nvelocity vector until the desired velocity change is achieved. Based on early\nwarning, provided by ground tracking and orbit prediction, it would be deployed\na decade or more prior to a potential impact. On completion of the initial\nrendezvous with the near-Earth object (NEO) the AT would first reduce the\nuncertainty in the orbit of the asteroid via Earth tracking of its radio\ntransponder while it is station keeping with the asteroid. If on analysis of\ntracking data a deflection is required the AT would execute a reconnaissance\nphase collecting and processing information about the physical characteristics\nof the asteroid to support subsequent operations. The AT would then dock at the\nappropriate pole (i.e. on the spin axis), attach to the asteroid surface, and\ninitiate a NEO reorientation maneuver. Following completion of the NEO\nreorientation the AT would initiate the deflection phase by thrusting\ncontinuously parallel to the asteroid velocity vector until the resultant\ntarget orbit is achieved. The orbit of the asteroid is continuously monitored\nthroughout the deflection process and the end state is known in real time. If\none assumes a nuclear-electric propulsion (NEP) system similar to that formerly\nunder development in the recently canceled Prometheus Program, the AT would be\ncapable of deflecting threatening NEOs up to 800 meters in diameter or more.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0608156",
"authors": [
"Russell Schweickart",
"Clark Chapman",
"Dan Durda",
"Piet Hut"
],
"categories": [
"physics.space-ph",
"astro-ph"
],
"title": "Threat Mitigation: The Asteroid Tugboat",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608156"
},
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