Rapid Response Flyby Exploration of Near-Earth Asteroids by Deep Space Constellation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51094/jxiv.1429Keywords:
Planetary Defense, Deep Space Constellation, Rapid Response Flyby, Asteroid Flyby Cycler, Micro SpacecraftAbstract
With the recent increase in the number of asteroids discovered due to technological advances, international interest in planetary defense has been growing. Over the next 10 years, the number of asteroids discovered is expected to increase further, and the threat of asteroid collisions will become more apparent. In order to quickly explore countermeasures when such dangerous asteroids are discovered, rapid response flyby exploration of hazardous asteroids is gaining attention. This paper outlines the deep space constellation concept, which involves keeping multiple probes in a special orbit called an asteroid flyby cycler orbit to enable rapid response flyby missions. This concept not only enables rapid response flyby missions but also allows for high-frequency multi-flyby missions of asteroids, contributing to planetary defense from the perspective of statistical data collection on near-Earth asteroids. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to continuously demonstrate more challenging technologies by compensating for the loss of one probe with other probes, thereby contributing to the significant advancement of space engineering.
Conflicts of Interest Disclosure
There are no conflicts of interest to disclose in relation to this paper.Downloads *Displays the aggregated results up to the previous day.
References
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology, The National Academies Press，Washington DC, 2023. https://doi.org/10.17226/26522
National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Fiscal Year 2025 Full Budget Request，April 15, 2024. https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2025-budget-request/（2025年2月28日アクセス）
Mainzer, A. K., Masiero, J. R., et al.: The Near-Earth Object Surveyor Mission, The Planetary Science Journal, 4, 12（2023）, p. 224. https://dx.doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad0468
Rivkin, A. S., Chabot, N. L., et al.: The Double Asteroid Redirection Test（DART）: Planetary Defense Investigations and Requirements, The Planetary Science Journal, 2, 5（2021）, p. 173. https://dx.doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ac063e
Englander, J. A., Kevin, B., et al.: Trajectory Design of the Lucy Mission to Explore the Diversity of the Jupiter Trojans, 70th International Astronautical Congress, IAC-2019-C1.2.11, Washington DC, October 21─25, 2019.
Jones, G. H., Snodgrass, C., et al.: The Comet Interceptor Mission, Space Science Reviews, 220（2024）, 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-023-01035-0
Soria-Carro, A., Hernandez, S., et al.: Rapid Response Missions to Interstellar Objects using Lyapunov Wait-in-Orbit Constellations, AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, AAS-211, Big Sky, MT, August 13─17, 2023.
Ozaki, N., Hyodo, R., et al.: Rapid Response Flyby Exploration Using Deep Space Constellation Deployed on Asteroid Cyclers, 8th IAA Planetary Defense Conference, Vienna, Austria, April 2023.
Ozaki, N. and Yanagida, K.: Asteroid Flyby Cycler Trajectory Design Using Deep Neural Networks, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 45, 8（2022）, pp. 1496─1511. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.G006487
The Planetary Society: Asteroid Danger by the Numbers, https://www.planetary.org/space-images/the-hazard-by-the-numbers（2025年2月28日アクセス）
Russell, R. P. and Ocampo, C. A.: Global Search for Idealized Free-Return Earth-Mars Cyclers, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 28, 2（2005）, pp. 138─151. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.8696
Russell, R. P. and Strange, N. J.: Cycler Trajectories in Planetary Moon Systems, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 32, 1（2009）, pp. 143─157. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.36610
Tsuda, Y., Saiki, T., et al.: Trajectory Design for Japanese New Asteroid Sample Return Mission Hayabusa-2, 23rd International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics, Pasadena, California, October 29─November 2, 2012.
Veverka, J., Farquhar, R. W., et al.: Comet Nucleus Tour, Acta Astronautica, 35（1995）, pp. 181─191. https://doi.org/10.1016/0094-5765(94)00183-M
Ozaki, N., Yamamoto, T., et al.: Mission Design of DESTINY＋: Toward Active Asteroid（3200） Phaethon and Multiple Small Bodies, Acta Astronautica, 196（2022）, pp. 42─56.
Funase, R., Inamori, T., et al.: One-year Deep Space Flight Result of the World’s First Full-Scale 50kg-class Deep Space Probe PROCYON and Its Future Perspective, 30th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, SSC16-III-05, Logan, Utah, August 6─11, 2016.
Campagnola, S., Ozaki, N., et al.: Low-Thrust Trajectory Design and Operations of PROCYON, the First Deep-Space Micro-Spacecraft, 66th International Astronautical Congress, IAC-15,C1,1,8,x28941, Jerusalem, Israel, October 12─16, 2015.
Funase, R., Ikari, S., et al.: Mission to Earth─Moon Lagrange Point by a 6U CubeSat: EQUULEUS, IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 35, 3（2020）, pp. 30─44. https://doi.org/10.1109/MAES.2019.2955577
Moriai, I., Fujimori, A., et al.: A Water Resistojet Propulsion System on a 6U CubeSat EQUULEUS: Demonstration of Reaction Control in Deep Space, Acta Astronautica, 227（2025）, pp. 114─125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.11.037
Donitz, B. P. S., Bell, J. F., et al.: Enabling Fast Response Missions to Near-Earth Objects（NEOs）, Interstellar Objects（ISOs）, and Long-Period Coments（LPCs）, Keck Institute for Space Studies, July 2024.
藤尾秩寛，高尾勇輝，他：超小型ソーラーセイルによる小惑星マルチフライバイ探査構想とその軌道設計，第68回宇宙科学技術連合講演会，4I05，兵庫県姫路市，2024年11月．
尾崎直哉，菊地翔太，他：月近傍および深宇宙ミッションのための準自律的な軌道決定手法に関する研究，第65回宇宙科学技術連合講演会，2I08，オンライン開催，2021年11月．
O, H., Ozaki, N.: Evaluating Observability and Information Flow in Dynamic Inter-Satellite Laser Networks for Cooperative Navigation in Deep Space, AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, AAS25-475, Kauai, Hawaii, USA, January 2025.
Mimasu, Y., Kikuchi, S., et al.: Extended Mission of Hayabusa2, Hayabusa2 Asteroid Sample Return Mission, Chapter 27, Elsevier, 2022, pp. 557─571. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99731-7.00027-1
Downloads
Posted
Submitted: 2025-08-07 09:11:35 UTC
Published: 2025-10-07 08:55:53 UTC
License
Copyright (c) 2025
Naoya Ozaki
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
