Learning to deflect Near Earth Objects: Industrial design of the Don Quijote mission

Paper number

IAC-06-A3.5.05

Author

Mr. Andres Galvez, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France

Coauthor

Mr. Ian Carnelli, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Year

2006

Abstract

Near-Earth Objects or NEOs include both objects having a likely asteroidal origin, and extinct comets orbiting the Sun in the near Earth Space, crossing the region of the inner planets. Because of their close approach to the Earth, NEOs are the population of the smallest Solar System bodies that can be accessible to detailed physical investigations, but in the same time they represent also a potential threat to our planet. Although impacts of large objects with catastrophic consequences are extremely infrequent, size of few tens or hundreds of meters in diameter can cause severe damage. A direct ground impact is not the sole threat since NEOs might be the origin to a large scale Tsunami whose consequences can exceed those of the Indian Ocean in 2004.

The Don Quijote (DQ) mission has been proposed by the European Space Agency as an asteroid-deflecting experiment with both a scientific and a practical perspective in the context of the management of the NEOs impact hazard. The primary objective of the DQ mission is to impact a given NEO with a spacecraft (Impactor) and to measure the resulting variations of the orbital parameters and of the rotation states by means of a second spacecraft (Orbiter) previously operating in the proximity of the asteroid. A radio science instrument carried by the Orbiter will be used for the precise measurement of the asteroid orbit and of its gravity field. The Orbiter will also perform measurements to determine the asteroid mass, size and surface properties. Secondary mission goals have also been defined, which would involve the deployment of an autonomous surface package and several other experiments and measurements.

Three industrial teams have been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency to carry out phase A studies in preparation for the detail design and development phases. This paper will present the main intermediate results of this design activity.

Abstract document

IAC-06-A3.5.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A3.5.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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