Asteroid deflection by leveraging rotational self-energy

Viale, A. , McInnes, C. , Bailet, G. and Ceriotti, M. (2021) Asteroid deflection by leveraging rotational self-energy. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58(3), pp. 813-829. (doi: 10.2514/1.A34889)

Abstract

A novel concept for the deflection of rotating asteroids is presented, based on the conversion of the asteroid rotational kinetic energy into translational kinetic energy. Such conversion is achieved using an orbital siphon, a tether-connected chain of masses, arranged vertically from the asteroid surface, which exploits the rotation of the asteroid for the delivery of mass from the asteroid to escape. Under the conditions to be discussed, the siphon can be initiated to ensure self-sustained flow of mass from the asteroid to escape. This mechanism is proposed to use a fraction of the asteroid as reaction mass, with the asteroid rotational kinetic energy leveraged to deliver the mass to escape and hence impart a reaction on the asteroid itself. Key parameters, such as velocity change, deflection duration, tension requirements and siphon length, are discussed. Deflection effectiveness is assessed for different release strategies. It is shown that typical velocity changes on the order of 1 cm/s can be achieved within a time window of a decade.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ceriotti, Dr Matteo and BAILET, Dr Rer Nat Gilles and Viale, Mr Andrea and McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Viale, A., McInnes, C., Bailet, G., and Ceriotti, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• ISSN: 0022-4650
• ISSN (Online): 1533-6794
• Published Online: 08 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 58(3): 813-829
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
306654		Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies	Colin McInnes	Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)	02/08/2019	ENG - Systems Power & Energy
172105		Ultra-low energy trajectories for near Earth asteroid capture and return	Colin McInnes	The Royal Society (ROYSOC)	WM150013	ENG - Systems Power & Energy