AbstractThe paper summarises a novel mission concept called SIMONE (smallsat intercept missions to objects near Earth), whereby a fleet of microsatellites may be deployed to individually rendezvous with a number of near Earth objects (NEOs), at very low cost. The mission enables, for the first time, the diverse properties of a range of spectral and physical type NEOs to be determined. Such data are invaluable to the scientific study, impact damage prediction, and impact countermeasure planning of NEOs. The five identical 120kg spacecraft are designed for low-cost piggyback launch on Ariane-5 into GTO, from where each uses a gridded-ion engine to escape the Earth and ultimately to rendezvous with a different NEO target. The primary challenge with such a mission is the ability to accommodate the necessary electric propulsion, power, payload and other on-board systems within the constraints of a microsatellite. The paper describes the way in which the latest technological advancements have been selected and applied to the mission design. The SIMONE design is feasible and clearly demonstrates that the concept of an “interplanetary microsatellite” is now realisable.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    SIMONE: Interplanetary microsatellites for NEO rendezvous missions


    Contributors:
    Wells, Nigel (author) / Walker, Roger (author) / Green, Simon (author) / Ball, Andrew (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 59 , 8-11 ; 700-709


    Publication date :

    2005-01-01


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    SIMONE: Interplanetary Microsatellites for NEO Rendezvous Missions

    Wells, N. / Walker, R. / Green, S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003



    SIMONE: Interplanetary microsatellites for NEO rendezvous missions

    Wells, N. / Walker, R. / Green, S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006



    Comet rendezvous missions

    MANNING, L. | AIAA | 1970