Abstract A direct intercept mission with nuclear explosives is the only practical mitigation option against the most probable impact threat of near-Earth objects (NEOs) with warning times much shorter than 10 years. However, state-of-the-art penetrating subsurface nuclear explosion technology limits the penetrator's impact velocity to less than approximately 300m/s because higher impact velocities prematurely destroy the nuclear fusing mechanisms. Therefore, significant advances in hypervelocity nuclear interceptor/penetrator technology are required to enable a last-minute nuclear disruption mission with intercept velocities as high as 30km/s. This paper briefly describes both the current and planned research activities at the Iowa State Asteroid Deflection Research Center for developing such a game-changing space technology to mitigate the most probable impact threat of NEOs with a short warning time.
Highlights ► The most probable impact threat of near-Earth objects (NEOs) with warning times much shorter than 10 years is considered. ► A direct intercept mission concept with nuclear explosives is proposed. ► Significant advances in hypervelocity nuclear interceptor/penetrator technology are required.
Hypervelocity nuclear interceptors for asteroid disruption
Acta Astronautica ; 90 , 1 ; 146-155
2012-04-16
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Hypervelocity nuclear interceptors for asteroid disruption
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