Alternating orbiter strategy for asteroid exploration

Garcia Yarnoz, Daniel and Sanchez Cuartielles, Joan-Pau and McInnes, Colin (2015) Alternating orbiter strategy for asteroid exploration. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 38 (2). pp. 280-291. ISSN 1533-3884

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    Abstract

    This paper proposes the use of highly non-Keplerian trajectories enabled by solar radiation pressure and devices with variable area or reflectivity to map and characterize small asteroids. Strategies alternative to hovering involving a combination of retrograde and prograde orbits, together with inversions of the orbit direction by either maneuvers or exploiting the natural dynamics, are presented and analysed. As opposed to terminator orbits, this alternating orbiter strategy allows direct overflies of the subsolar point and other equatorial regions. A simple cost comparison demonstrates a significant improvement with respect to traditional hovering strategies. Additional orbits of interest for hopper spacecraft are also discussed. Finally, various possible implementations of variable-area spacecraft that could provide the required solar radiation pressure control are suggested and discussed.

    • Item type:Article
      ID code:52855
      Dates:
      Date
      Event
      February 2015
      Published
      18 November 2014
      Published Online
      5 August 2014
      Accepted
      Notes:Copyright © 2014 by Daniel Garcia Yarnoz. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission
      Keywords:non-Keplerian orbits, asteroid exploration, trajectory design, Mechanical engineering and machinery, Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering, Space and Planetary Science
      Subjects:Technology > Mechanical engineering and machinery
      Technology > Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
      Department:Faculty of Engineering > Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
      Depositing user: Pure Administrator
      Date deposited:01 May 2015 10:43
      Last modified:16 Jul 2021 01:09
      Related URLs:
      URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/52855
    CORE (COnnecting REpositories)