This paper describes a microsatellite spacecraft with supporting mission profile and architecture, designed to enable preliminary in-situ characterization of a significant number of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) at reasonably low cost. The spacecraft will be referred to as the NEO-Scout. NEO-Scout spacecraft are to be placed in Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO), cis-lunar space, or on earth escape trajectories as secondary payloads on launch vehicles headed for GEO or beyond, and will begin their mission after deployment from the launcher. A distinguishing key feature of the NEO-Scout system is to design the spacecraft and mission timeline so as to enable rendezvous with and landing on the target NEO during NEO close approach (<0.3 AU) to the Earth-Moon system using low-thrust/high-impulse propulsion systems. Mission durations are on the order 100 to 400 days. Mission feasibility and preliminary design analysis are presented, along with detailed trajectory calculations.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Near Earth Object (NEO) Scout Spacecraft: A Low-cost Approach to In-situ Characterization of the NEO Population


    Contributors:
    A.E Woeppel (author) / M.J Balsamo (author) / P.C Volk (author) / L.S Koontz (author) / R Bevilacqua (author) / C Swenson (author) / J.K Fischer (author) / J.M East (author) / A.J Styborski (author) / A.C Roche (author)

    Publication date :

    2014


    Size :

    19 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English