Low-thrust: the fast & flexible path to Apophis

elib (German Aerospace Center)

Abstract

By the time of Apophis' fly-by on Friday, April 13th, 2029, more satellites than have ever been launched since the beginning of the space age to this day will reach low Earth orbit (LEO). Almost all of them will be microsatellites of less than ~250 kg equipped with solar-electric propulsion (SEP). We propose the use of already created low-thrust trajectories to Apophis to help advance design trades in the early study phases of missions to Apophis. It appears that small spacecraft missions could benefit from solar-electric or sail propulsion.

Authors 7

1. Suditi Chand

   Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   DLR German Aerospace Center , Institute of Space Systems , Robert-Hooke-Strasse 7 , 28359 Bremen , Germany

2. Matteo Ceriotti

   University of Glasgow

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Glasgow , Glasgow , Scotland G12 8QQ , United Kingdom

3. Jan Thimo Grundmann

   Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

   Affiliation as printed

   DLR German Aerospace Center , Institute of Space Systems , Robert-Hooke-Strasse 7 , 28359 Bremen , Germany

4. Lars Kesseler Aachen Levity Space Systems

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Levity Space Systems , FH Aachen , University of Applied Sciences , Aachener-und-Münchener Allee 1 , 52074 Aachen

5. Iain Moore

   University of Glasgow

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Glasgow , Glasgow , Scotland G12 8QQ , United Kingdom

6. Merel Vergaaij

   University of Glasgow

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Glasgow , Glasgow , Scotland G12 8QQ , United Kingdom

7. Giulia Viavattene

   University of Glasgow

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Glasgow , Glasgow , Scotland G12 8QQ , United Kingdom