Designs of multi-spacecraft swarms for the deflection of apophis by solar sublimation

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Maddock, Christie and Vasile, M. and McInnes, C.R. and Radice, Gianmarco and Summerer, Leopold (2009) Designs of multi-spacecraft swarms for the deflection of apophis by solar sublimation. In: 1st IAA Planetary Defence Conference: Protecting Earth from Asteroids, 2009-04-27 - 2009-04-30.

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Abstract

This paper presents two conceptual designs of multi-spacecraft swarms used for deflecting Apophis. Each spacecraft is equipped with a solar concentrator assembly, which focuses the solar light, and a beaming system that projects a beam of light onto the surface of the asteroid. When the beams from each spacecraft are superimposed, the temperature on the surface is enough to sublimate the rock, creating a debris plume with enough force to slowly alter the orbit of Apophis. An overview of the dynamics, control and navigation strategies are presented along with preliminary system budgets.

ORCID iDs

Maddock, Christie ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1079-4863, Vasile, M. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8302-6465, McInnes, C.R., Radice, Gianmarco and Summerer, Leopold;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)