Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One

Using a small near-Earth object (NEO) to impact a larger and potentially threatening NEO has been suggested as an effective method to avert a collision with Earth. This paper develops a procedure for analysis of the technique for specific NEOs. First, an optimization method is used to select a prope...

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Main Authors: Kaijian Zhu, Weiping Huang, Yuncai Wang, Wei Niu, Gongyou Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/892395
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author Kaijian Zhu
Weiping Huang
Yuncai Wang
Wei Niu
Gongyou Wu
author_facet Kaijian Zhu
Weiping Huang
Yuncai Wang
Wei Niu
Gongyou Wu
author_sort Kaijian Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Using a small near-Earth object (NEO) to impact a larger and potentially threatening NEO has been suggested as an effective method to avert a collision with Earth. This paper develops a procedure for analysis of the technique for specific NEOs. First, an optimization method is used to select a proper small body from the database. Some principles of optimality are achieved with the optimization process. Then, the orbit of the small body is changed to guarantee that it flies toward and impacts the big threatening NEO. Kinetic impact by a spacecraft is chosen as the strategy of deflecting the small body. The efficiency of this method is compared with that of a direct kinetic impact to the big NEO by a spacecraft. Finally, a case study is performed for the deflection of the Apophis NEO, and the efficiency of the method is assessed.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2356-6140
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language English
publishDate 2014-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-b292a264e6f441ab975c6720511e6ee32025-08-20T03:39:21ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/892395892395Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small OneKaijian Zhu0Weiping Huang1Yuncai Wang2Wei Niu3Gongyou Wu4State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an Satellite Control Center, Xi’an 710043, ChinaSchool of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710043, ChinaBeijing Research Institute of Control and Electronic Technology, Beijing 100038, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an Satellite Control Center, Xi’an 710043, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an Satellite Control Center, Xi’an 710043, ChinaUsing a small near-Earth object (NEO) to impact a larger and potentially threatening NEO has been suggested as an effective method to avert a collision with Earth. This paper develops a procedure for analysis of the technique for specific NEOs. First, an optimization method is used to select a proper small body from the database. Some principles of optimality are achieved with the optimization process. Then, the orbit of the small body is changed to guarantee that it flies toward and impacts the big threatening NEO. Kinetic impact by a spacecraft is chosen as the strategy of deflecting the small body. The efficiency of this method is compared with that of a direct kinetic impact to the big NEO by a spacecraft. Finally, a case study is performed for the deflection of the Apophis NEO, and the efficiency of the method is assessed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/892395
spellingShingle Kaijian Zhu
Weiping Huang
Yuncai Wang
Wei Niu
Gongyou Wu
Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
The Scientific World Journal
title Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
title_full Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
title_fullStr Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
title_short Optimization of Deflection of a Big NEO through Impact with a Small One
title_sort optimization of deflection of a big neo through impact with a small one
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/892395
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AT weipinghuang optimizationofdeflectionofabigneothroughimpactwithasmallone
AT yuncaiwang optimizationofdeflectionofabigneothroughimpactwithasmallone
AT weiniu optimizationofdeflectionofabigneothroughimpactwithasmallone
AT gongyouwu optimizationofdeflectionofabigneothroughimpactwithasmallone