Asteroid Redirection Mission Evaluation Using Multiple Landers
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Asteroid Redirection Mission Evaluation Using Multiple Landers Michael C. F. Bazzocchi1 · M. Reza Emami1,2
© American Astronautical Society 2018
Abstract In this paper, a low-thrust tugboat redirection method is assessed using multiple spacecraft for a target range of small near-Earth asteroids. The benefits of a landed configuration of tugboat spacecraft in formation are examined for the redirection of a near-Earth asteroid. The tugboat method uses a gimballed thruster with a highly collimated ion beam to generate a thrust on the asteroid. The target asteroid range focuses on near-Earth asteroids smaller than 150 m in diameter, and carbonaceous (C-type) asteroids, due to the volatiles available for in-situ utilization. The assessment focuses primarily on the three key parameters, i.e., the asteroid mass redirected, the timeframe for redirection, and the overall system cost. An evaluation methodology for each parameter is discussed in detail, and the parameters are employed to determine the expected return and feasibility of the redirection mission. The number of spacecraft employed is optimized along with the electrical power needed for each spacecraft to ensure the highest possible return on investment. A discussion of the optimization results and the benefits of spacecraft formation for the tugboat method are presented. Keywords Asteroid redirection · Asteroid resource exploitation · Near-Earth asteroids
M. Reza Emami
[email protected] Michael C. F. Bazzocchi [email protected] 1
Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto, 4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5T6, Canada
2
Onboard Space Systems, Space Technology Division, Lule˚a University of Technology, Kiruna, 98128, Sweden
J of Astronaut Sci
Introduction The tugboat method has been considered for the purpose of space debris removal, asteroid deflection, and asteroid redirection. Although the method has been considered in formation design for asteroid redirection previously [1]; a thorough optimization of a landed tugboat spacecraft formation for targeting asteroids has not yet been completed. The tugboat method has shown to be an excellent candidate for redirecting small to medium size asteroids, and has shown considerable potentials for formation design. This method, if successfully implemented, can garner significant economic profits, and facilitate in-situ space development through resource utilization. In particular, through the use of multiple homogenous spacecraft the mission cost and timeframe can be considerably reduced. This paper outlines the major objectives of a redirection mission from the perspective of resource exploitation, the design and specifications for a system of tugboat spacecraft, and the optimization of such a system for a target range of asteroids.
Problem Formulation In order to assess the redirection capabilities of a formation of tugboat spacecraft, it is important to establish well-defined parameters for the optimization. The redirection mission will be presented from an econo
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