Low-energy near Earth asteroid capture using Earth flybys and aerobraking

Tan, M., McInnes, C. and Ceriotti, M. (2018) Low-energy near Earth asteroid capture using Earth flybys and aerobraking. Advances in Space Research, 61(8), pp. 2099-2115. (doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2018.01.027)

Abstract

Since the Sun-Earth libration points L1 and L2 are regarded as ideal locations for space science missions and candidate gateways for future crewed interplanetary missions, capturing near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) around the Sun-Earth L1/L2 points has generated significant interest. Therefore, this paper proposes the concept of coupling together a flyby of the Earth and then capturing small NEAs onto Sun–Earth L1/L2 periodic orbits. In this capture strategy, the Sun-Earth circular restricted three-body problem (CRTBP) is used to calculate target Lypaunov orbits and their invariant manifolds. A periapsis map is then employed to determine the required perigee of the Earth flyby. Moreover, depending on the perigee distance of the flyby, Earth flybys with and without aerobraking are investigated to design a transfer trajectory capturing a small NEA from its initial orbit to the stable manifolds associated with Sun-Earth L1/L2 periodic orbits. Finally, a global optimization is carried out, based on a detailed design procedure for NEA capture using an Earth flyby. Results show that the NEA capture strategies using an Earth flyby with and without aerobraking both have the potential to be of lower cost in terms of energy requirements than a direct NEA capture strategy without the Earth flyby. Moreover, NEA capture with an Earth flyby also has the potential for a shorter flight time compared to the NEA capture strategy without the Earth flyby.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The authors acknowledge support through the China Scholarship Council (Minghu Tan) and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (Colin McInnes).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ceriotti, Dr Matteo and Tan, Minghu and McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Tan, M., McInnes, C., and Ceriotti, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Advances in Space Research
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• ISSN (Online): 1879-1948
• Published Online: 31 January 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 COSPAR
• First Published: First published in Advances in Space Research 61(8): 2099-2115
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher