A multi-mirror solution for the deflection of dangerous NEOS

Abstract

This paper presents some recent results on the deflection of potentially dangerous near earth objects. A particular deflection technique, employing a swarm of mirrors focusing the light of the Sun on the surface of the asteroid, is described. The swarm has to fly in formation with the asteroid, or hover in close proximity. The paper describes two different designs for the mirrors, and different options to place the spacecraft in the vicinity of the asteroid. In particular the paper shows a number of periodic formation orbits. As an alternative, results are shown by placing the spacecraft at fixed points in close proximity to the asteroid, where the solar pressure and the gravity attraction balance each other. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.