Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization Tool to Assess Options for Near-Earth Asteroid Deflection
Author(s)
Stahl, Benjamin A.
Braun, Robert D.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
In the past decade, the scientific community has become more interested in Near Earth
Objects (NEOs) and the threat they pose to existence of life on this planet. The recent trend
in NEO deflection technique research has been toward "slow push" techniques in order to
absolve the need for sending nuclear weapons into space. A software tool was developed to
assist in design and performance testing of various low-thrust deflection methods. The tool
features an n-body high fidelity long term orbit propagator that allows for deflection
mechanism forces to be directly applied through the equations of motion. The propagator
utilizes DE405 ephemeris data for the acting bodies and was validated through comparison
with JPL's HORIZONS database. A hybrid optimization algorithm featuring a genetic
algorithm global search and a conjugate direction local search was also developed to
optimize the thrust direction versus time for a given deflection technique. The optimizer is
applicable for many different missions and objectives, and is tested with several missions
designed to maximize NEO close approach miss distance.
Sponsor
Date
2008-08
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Paper
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved