Accurate analytical approximation of asteroid deflection with constant tangential thrust

We present analytical formulas to estimate the variation of achieved deflection for an Earth-impacting asteroid following a continuous tangential low-thrust deflection strategy. Relatively simple analytical expressions are obtained with the aid of asymptotic theory and the use of Peláez orbital elem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Celestial mechanics and dynamical astronomy 2012-11, Vol.114 (3), p.279-295
Main Authors: Bombardelli, Claudio, Baù, Giulio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Approximation
Asteroids
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Classical Mechanics
Deflection
Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory
Earth
Geophysics/Geodesy
Original Article
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
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Summary:We present analytical formulas to estimate the variation of achieved deflection for an Earth-impacting asteroid following a continuous tangential low-thrust deflection strategy. Relatively simple analytical expressions are obtained with the aid of asymptotic theory and the use of Peláez orbital elements set, an approach that is particularly suitable to the asteroid deflection problem and is not limited to small eccentricities. The accuracy of the proposed formulas is evaluated numerically showing negligible error for both early and late deflection campaigns. The results will be of aid in planning future low-thrust asteroid deflection missions.
ISSN:0923-2958
1572-9478
DOI:10.1007/s10569-012-9440-0