Deflection of near-Earth asteroids by kinetic energy impacts from retrograde orbits |
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Authors: | Colin R McInnes |
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Institution: | Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ, UK |
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Abstract: | Previous studies of non-nuclear diversion of near Earth asteroids have largely ignored the use of pure kinetic energy impacts, partly due to apparent limits on impact speeds of 10-. Here, I will consider the use of a near-term solar sail to deliver an inert projectile onto a retrograde solar orbit, thus raising impact speeds to at least . Such high-energy orbits increase the energy liberated during impact by a factor of 40 or more, while reducing the required projectile mass by at least 95%. This considerable reduction in projectile mass allows kilometre-sized asteroids to be diverted with current launch vehicles, near-term technologies and at a cost comparable to a modest deep space mission. |
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Keywords: | Near Earth asteroids Non-nuclear deflection Solar sailing Orbital mechanics |
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