Use of laser target equipment on board of missions to asteroids

Аuthors

Vishnyakov V. M.^*, Lebedenko V. P.^**

Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4, Pionerskaya st., Korolev, Moscow region, 141070, Russia

*e-mail: vm_vishnyakov@tsniimash.ru
**e-mail: vlebedenko@bk.ru

Abstract

In the carried-out and planned missions of the spacecrafts (SС) to the Near-Earth asteroids (NEA) and other small space objects the laser devices are often applied. However, the range of tasks solved by them is usually limited by distance measurement at small ranges and precise height measurements during landing to NEA.

At the same time, the use of multipurpose laser equipment onboard SC allow to avoid failures and violations of processes of approach and landing to an asteroid (like it was, for example, during the landing of SC «Hayabusa» to asteroid «Itokava»), obtain various data on structure of a surface and substances of asteroid.

Here is a preposition on laser target equipment based on multi-functional 3D-lidar intended to be used on board of satellite missions to near-earth asteroids and other small space objects. 3D-lidar possible functions are as follows: precision range and velocity measurements, three-dimensional monitoring of asteroid shape and surface structure, precise descend of a lander, 3Dmonitoring of asteroid impact results, laser spectroscopy of substances of a space object, etc.

The lidar makes continuous measurements of the current range and radial velocity at all distances between SC and NEA. At small (some kilometers and closer) distances the lidar allows to receive detailed spatial «portrait» of object due to application of a threedimensional photosensitive matrix.

Process of satellite approach with NEA becomes complicated due to large (tens or hundreds kilometers and more) errors of preliminary data of NEA orbit parameters received from ground-based observation facilities.

In case of use of onboard SC of the «rough» distance-measuring instrument (for example, an optical direction finder or TV-camera) there will be a big uncertainty of knowledge of proper distance to NEA. It can lead to excessive costs of propulsion system fuel for operations of approach and landing to NEA.

Calculations of necessary liquid rocket fuel expenses of the satellite propulsion system during approach to NEA have been carried out. It is been shown that using an onboard laser rangefinder would allow to reduce fuel expenses approximately twice in comparison with use of only passive onboard observation systems.

It is also shown that during tests of deflection means of NEA from a trajectory dangerous to Earth the lidar can measure very small (up to 1...5 mm/sec) additional increments of the speed received by asteroid in the result of collision with the special SC-impactor.

Use of a multipurpose lidar may lead to some increase of satellite overall mass; nevertheless, it is quite compensated by increase of amount of the tasks solved by the onboard equipment and accuracy of their performance.

Keywords:

3D-lidar, laser rangefinder, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), characteristic velocity, asteroid impact monitoring

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