Work

Asteroid Deflection: Do Repeated Impacts in the Same Location Increase Total Momentum Transfer?

Year: 2024

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Introduction 1.1 Planetary defense and asteroids Though an estimated 90% of near-Earth objects (NEOs) greater than 1 km in diameter have been identified and do not pose a significant threat for at least 100 years, only 1/3rd of NEOs larger than 140 m in diameter have been identified as of 2021 [1]. Asteroids of this size are large enough to cause region-scale damage, underscoring the importance of mitigation strategies. The kinetic impact method is emerging as a promising means of redirecting asteroids up to 1 km in diameter. This method entails ramming a spacecraft into an asteroid to change its trajectory, as was demonstrated in 2022 by the successful double asteroid redirection (DART) mission (JHU/APL & NASA) [2].

Source: Hypervelocity Impact Symposium (HVIS)

DOI: 10.1115/hvis2024-072

Authors: Alexander Westra, Jason Damazo, Dominic Martinez, Kevin Housen, Leslie Lamberson

Institutions: Colorado School of Mines, Boeing (United States)

Language: English

Topic: Astro and Planetary Science

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Award: G4699941325