SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 43, ISSUE 25 - DECEMBER 16, 2005

91 LUNAR AND PLANETARY SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION
Includes planetology; selenology; meteorites; comets; and manned and unmanned planetary and lunar flights.

For spacecraft design or space stations see 18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance.

20050240871 Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA USA

21st Century Steam for Asteroid Mitigation

Dearborn, D. S.; Mar. 16, 2004; 32 pp.; In English Report No.(s): DE2005-15013978; UCRL-PROC-202922; No Copyright; Avail.: National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

The systematic requirements to divert an object on an earth-impacting course are developed relating the minimum velocity perturbation (both magnitude and direction) to the time available before impact. This, coupled with the accuracy to which orbits can be determined, restricts the time available for any mitigation technology to operate. Because nuclear energy densities are nearly a million times higher than those possible with chemical bonds, it is the most mass efficient means for storing delivering energy with today's technology. The question is how to most effectively apply that energy. This paper will examine the simple case of shattering the body, as well as a more controlled approach in which one or more small velocity increments divert a body. The optimal approach depends on the detailed circumstances, but in either case, already developed technology permits a successful diversion with a few years to decades of notice. The success of nuclear options on relatively short timescales permits consideration of other technologies that while not so well developed might be sufficiently improved to divert small (100 meter) bodies. NTIS

Asteroids; Earth (Planet); Steam

Source: NASA.