This paper investigates the accessible low-thrust transfer trajectories for a near-Earth asteroid transfer mission. The target asteroids considered are Arjuna-type asteroids, which are characterized by their Earth-like orbital paths including low eccentricity and low inclination. The asteroid range is characterized by a specific range of semimajor axes and transfer angles to provide an overall assessment of the potential Arjuna transfer domain. A single hovering ion beam spacecraft is employed for the task of asteroid redirection. The method uses a continuous thrust over the duration of the transfer maneuver to redirect the asteroid to an Earth-bound orbit. The transfer model employs a minimized form of Gauss’s variational equations to determine the available trajectories for asteroid redirection. The transfer model employs, in addition to the aforementioned orbital equations, spacecraft thruster and sizing metrics as well as mission cost analysis formulae. The system parameters and orbital transfer paths are assessed with regard to key mission parameters, namely, time frame for redirection, number of orbital revolutions, system mass, propellant mass, thrust, power, system cost, and financial return rate.
Study of Arjuna-Type Asteroids for Low-Thrust Orbital Transfer
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 55 , 1 ; 37-48
2018-01-01
Conference paper , Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
LOW-THRUST ORBIT TRANSFER OF ARJUNA-TYPE ASTEROIDS
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