A mission analysis survey of potential humanprecursor robotic asteroid missions

Michael L. Cupples, Roberto Furfaro, Carl W. Hergenrother, Badejo O. Adebonojo, Daniel R. Wibben, John N. Kidd

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A preliminary mission analyses survey for conceptual robotic asteroid missions that are precursor to potential human asteroid missions is provided, yielding a set of parametric data that can be used for preliminary mission planning. For a set of carefully chosen asteroids, this study generated a table of delta-v data that extends over a range of launch opportunity dates and a range of total transfer times. A subjective comparison of missions was performed and the comparison results are reported, further evaluating the low delta-v analyses data based on a set of Key Performance Parameters that included Earth departure energy (C3) and total transfer time, as well as total delta-v. The key parameter comparison yielded a table of data that synthesizes the rather large set of mission analyses data into a set of "best" cases. Each of the best cases is then superimposed on launch vehicle (LV) mass vs. C3 data that further extends the preliminary mission planning data into the LV and Earth departure energy domain. The mass vs. C3 data can aid in LV choice based on a known spacecraft mass and the preliminary mission analyses data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpaceflight Mechanics 2011 - Advances in the Astronautical Sciences
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 21st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting
Pages3-20
Number of pages18
StatePublished - 2011
Event21st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting - New Orleans, LA, United States
Duration: Feb 13 2011Feb 17 2011

Publication series

NameAdvances in the Astronautical Sciences
Volume140
ISSN (Print)0065-3438

Other

Other21st AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans, LA
Period2/13/112/17/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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