dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaThreat Characterization: Trajectory Dynamics
| Authors | Russell Schweickart, Clark Chapman, Dan Durda, Bill Bottke, David Nesvorny, Piet Hut |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0608155 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608155 |
Abstract
Given a primary interest in "mitigation of the potential hazard" of near-Earth objects impacting the Earth, the subject of characterization takes on an aspect not normally present when considering asteroids as abstract bodies. Many deflection concepts are interested in the classic geophysical characteristics of asteroids when considering the physical challenge of modifying their orbits in order to cause them to subsequently miss an impact with Earth. Yet for all deflection concepts there are characteristics of the threat which overwhelm these traditional factors. For example, a close gravitational encounter with Earth some years or decades prior to impact can reduce the velocity change necessary for deflection by several orders of magnitude if the deflection precedes the close encounter (or encounters). Conversely this "benefit" comes at a "price"; a corresponding increase in the accuracy of tracking required to determine the probability of impact. Societal issues, both national and international, also characterize the NEO deflection process and these may strongly contend with the purely technical issues normally considered. Therefore critical factors not normally considered must be brought into play as one characterizes the threat of NEO impacts.
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"abstract": "Given a primary interest in \"mitigation of the potential hazard\" of\nnear-Earth objects impacting the Earth, the subject of characterization takes\non an aspect not normally present when considering asteroids as abstract\nbodies. Many deflection concepts are interested in the classic geophysical\ncharacteristics of asteroids when considering the physical challenge of\nmodifying their orbits in order to cause them to subsequently miss an impact\nwith Earth. Yet for all deflection concepts there are characteristics of the\nthreat which overwhelm these traditional factors. For example, a close\ngravitational encounter with Earth some years or decades prior to impact can\nreduce the velocity change necessary for deflection by several orders of\nmagnitude if the deflection precedes the close encounter (or encounters).\nConversely this \"benefit\" comes at a \"price\"; a corresponding increase in the\naccuracy of tracking required to determine the probability of impact. Societal\nissues, both national and international, also characterize the NEO deflection\nprocess and these may strongly contend with the purely technical issues\nnormally considered. Therefore critical factors not normally considered must be\nbrought into play as one characterizes the threat of NEO impacts.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0608155",
"authors": [
"Russell Schweickart",
"Clark Chapman",
"Dan Durda",
"Bill Bottke",
"David Nesvorny",
"Piet Hut"
],
"categories": [
"physics.space-ph",
"astro-ph"
],
"title": "Threat Characterization: Trajectory Dynamics",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608155"
},
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