Clark R. ChapmanSouthwest Research Institute Boulder, Colorado, USA,

and “The B612 Foundation”

Clark R. ChapmanSouthwest Research Institute Boulder, Colorado, USA,

and “The B612 Foundation”

2004 Planetary Defense Conference: 2004 Planetary Defense Conference: Protecting Earth from AsteroidsProtecting Earth from Asteroids

Garden Grove CA USA 23 February 2004Garden Grove CA USA 23 February 2004

2004 Planetary Defense Conference: 2004 Planetary Defense Conference: Protecting Earth from AsteroidsProtecting Earth from Asteroids

Garden Grove CA USA 23 February 2004Garden Grove CA USA 23 February 2004

NEO IMPACT SCENARIOSNEO IMPACT SCENARIOS

Session 3-PD-3 “Threats & Consequences II” AIAA-2004-1416

Session 3-PD-3 “Threats & Consequences II” AIAA-2004-1416

http://www.boulder.swri.edu/clark/clark.html

The B612 Near-Earth Asteroid Mission

Clark Chapman, Dan Durda & Rusty Schweickart

Presentation to the SSB Prometheus Solar System Exploration Panel

Woods Hole, MA 21-22 June 2004

Southwest Research Institute and B612 Foundation

Objectives: “To move a ~200-meter NEA in a controlled manner and to comprehensively study the physical, geological, and compositional properties of several diverse NEAs in the 2015-2020 timeframe.”

B612 Mission Objectives and Description: Learn by Doing!

Robust exploration of Near-Earth Asteroids for science, resource utilization, and hazard protection NEAs link the primordial main-belt asteroidal parent

bodies to laboratory study of meteorites NEAs provide a far richer variety of very accessible

materials for utilization in space than does the Moon Demonstrates our capability to address popular

concerns about a genuine natural hazard Takes advantage of the thrust and power capabilities

of Prometheus in the “New Vision” era of exploration

Explores and moves a ~200 m C-type NEA…then leaves to rendezvous with and explore other types Thorough stand-off remote-sensing study of target Deploys lander science package/s, docks near pole Thrust with active attitude control (main engine

gimballing) for several months Scientifically explores and tries docking with M-type

and other NEAs (moving them not necessary) Sample return option

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Attaching to the Target NEA

Articulated arms may serve as a “net” to encompass object with less concern about strength of surface – but this is a challenge!

The “Ed Lu Tractor Beam” approach [lower right] utilizes gravitational attraction of NEA to spacecraft, with no attachment necessary (most efficient for objects a couple hundred meters in size; massive Prometheus-like spacecraft is good)

Concern in all approaches not to disrupt a weakly cohesive body

Moving the Target NEA

Several operational schemes have been considered must deal with the spin accelerate along track may push or pull

A fraction of 1 cm/sec delta-v achieved over few months

De-spin and thrust

Push and torque

Analyses by D.J. Scheeres and R.L. Schweickart (AIAA 2004-1446)

B612 Science Objectives

Understand physical, chemical, geological processes that have affected C-type (and its parent) since origin For target (& satellite/s): size, shape, mass, spin state,

global optical traits for calibration, internal structure characterize and map the surface geology: topography,

craters, lineaments, rocks, “ponds”, texture, etc. mineralogical/chemical composition of units geological context for derivation of meteorites intensive compositional, physical, and microscopic

examination of localities Learn about compositional and structural diversity of

asteroidal fragments (& dead comets) by remote-sensing investigations of several other NEA types

Evaluate NEA properties relevant to practical issues impact consequences; attachment for deflection feasibility of documented scientific sampling for return evaluation of approaches to mining for in-space use

“Impact Threat – cataloguing and classification of near-Earth objects; estimationof the recent impact flux and its variations; flux variation withposition in solar system; hazard avoidance and mitigation.”

-- from “A National Science Research Agenda” on Origins, Evolution, and Fate:

The “Aldridge Commission

Report”, June 2004

“…the Commission heard testimony that skills honed in implementing the vision could help detect and deflect harmful asteroids that could one day threaten Earth. Just recently the subject of science fiction novels and movie thrillers, such capability is now the focus of legitimate scientific investigation.”

Strawman Instrument Payload

Remote-sensing Imaging Vis/IR reflection spectroscopy (mapping) X-ray, gamma-ray Magnetometer

Active-sensing Laser-ranging altimetry High-power radar sounder

In situ landed measurements Microscopic imaging Soil/rock mechanics devices Spectrometers (Raman, Mössbauer, XRF) Scanning Electron Microscope & PA

B612 Mission: Concluding Comments

Thorough exploration of several NEAs motivated by science, potential utilization, and planetary defense – learn by doing!

Science instruments unfettered by usual mass and power constraints – learn about asteroids more nearly the way a terrestrial geophysicist learns about the Earth.

Finally explore the full diversity of primordial and evolved materials in small bodies – every small body visited so far has been unique…let’s understand the whole zoo.

An exciting mission that can engage several scientific disciplines and the general public – NEAs are not only vital scientifically, they pose a danger and they may be stepping stones to Mars.