The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently studying an option for the Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM) that would capture a multi-ton boulder (typically 2-4 meters in size) from the surface of a large (is approximately 100+ meter) Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) and return it to cislunar space for subsequent human and robotic exploration. This alternative mission approach, designated the Robotic Boulder Capture Option (Option B), has been investigated to determine the mission feasibility and identify potential differences from the initial ARRM concept of capturing an entire small NEA (4-10 meters in size), which has been designated the Small Asteroid Capture Option (Option A). Compared to the initial ARRM concept, Option B allows for centimeter-level characterization over an entire large NEA, the certainty of target NEA composition type, the ability to select the boulder that is captured, numerous opportunities for mission enhancements to support science objectives, additional experience operating at a low-gravity planetary body including extended surface contact, and the ability to demonstrate future planetary defense strategies on a hazardous-size NEA. Option B can leverage precursor missions and existing Agency capabilities to help ensure mission success by targeting wellcharacterized asteroids and can accommodate uncertain programmatic schedules by tailoring the return mass.
Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission: Robotic Boulder Capture Option Overview
2014
22 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronomy & Astrophysics , Extraterrestrial Exploration , Astronautics , Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Asteroid missions , Robotics , Asteroid capture , Rocks , Mission planning , Interplanetary trajectories , Defense , Near earth asteroid rendezvous mission , Flight management systems , Solar arrays , Descent trajectories , In situ resource utilization , Cislunar space , Solar electric propulsion , Surface reactions , Nasa space programs , Crew exploration vehicle , Trajectory planning , Trajectory optimization , Swingby technique , Systems analysis
Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission: Robotic Boulder Capture Option Overview (AIAA 2014-4432)
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2014
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