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Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) using Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) for Research, Mining, and Exploration Endeavors of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)

The feasibility of relocating a small (~500,000 kg) Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) to High Earth Orbit via Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) is evaluated with the orbital simulation software General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT). Using prior research as a basis for the mission parameters, a retrieval mission to NEA 2008 HU4 is simulated in two parts: approach from Earth and return of the Asteroid Redirect Vehicle (ARV) with the asteroid in tow. Success of such a mission would pave the way for future missions to larger NEAs and other deep space endeavors. It is shown that for a hypothetical launch time of 24 May 2016, the ARV could arrive within 25 km of 2008 HU4 on 28 Jun 2017 with a Delta V of 0.406 km/s, begin return maneuver on 08 Dec 2017 and reach Earth altitude of 450,000 km by 23 Apr 2026 with a Delta V of 44.639 m/s.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-1801
Date12 August 2016
CreatorsHarriel, Torrey Paul
PublisherScholars Junction
Source SetsMississippi State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceTheses and Dissertations

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