Abstract The gravity tractor concept is a proposed method to deflect an imminent asteroid impact through gravitational tugging over a time scale of years. In this study, we present mission scenarios and operational considerations for asteroid mitigation efforts involving multiple gravity tractors. We quantify the deflection performance improvement provided by a multiple gravity tractor campaign and assess its sensitivity to staggered launches. We next explore several proximity operation strategies to accommodate multiple gravity tractors at a single asteroid including formation-flying and mechanically-docked configurations. Finally, we utilize 99942 Apophis as an illustrative example to assess the performance of a multiple gravity tractor campaign.

    Highlights ► Total deflection scales linearly with total mass of gravity tractors. ► Mechanical docking strategy reduces station-keeping requirements. ► Deflection performance improved by stacking depleted gravity tractors.


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    Title :

    Mission concepts and operations for asteroid mitigation involving multiple gravity tractors


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 90 , 1 ; 112-118


    Publication date :

    2012-10-01


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English