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NEO Mission Dynamics and Advanced Space Propulsion
Author(s) -
SFORZA P. M.,
REMO J. L.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1997.tb48359.x
Subject(s) - propulsion , aerospace engineering , in space propulsion technologies , geocentric orbit , nasa deep space network , aeronautics , space (punctuation) , range (aeronautics) , space exploration , interception , computer science , systems engineering , electrically powered spacecraft propulsion , astrobiology , engineering , satellite , physics , spacecraft , ecology , biology , operating system
An analysis identifying opportunities for extending space propulsion capabilities to ranges around 1 AU from the Earth is presented to suggest an effective and practical response to critical interaction missions to Near Earth Objects (NEOs). Consideration is focused on timely interception of NEOs approaching Earth well beyond cislunar range during a time period out to about 2020. It is shown such missions might be best accomplished by means of nuclear thermal or nuclear electric propulsion. Considering the development effort expended thus far on such systems it is recommended that completing this effort is of paramount importance for ensuring future deep‐space performance capability.