Chinese University Paper on Asteroid Mission Design

Paper from the Beijing Institute of Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology on an asteroid mission design. Dr. Ping Yuan Cui of the Beijing Institute of Technology and some of his Chinese colleagues have published previous asteroid mission design papers (see below). This is one of their latest papers.

Target selection and transfer trajectories design for exploring asteroid mission
Journal: SCIENCE CHINA Technological Sciences
Publisher Science China Press, co-published with Springer
ISSN: 1674-7321 (Print) 1869-1900 (Online)
DOI: 10.1007/s11431-010-0007-6
SpringerLink Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010

Authors:

Ping Yuan Cui(1), Dong Qiao(1), HuTao Cui(2) and EnJie Luan(3)
(1) School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
(2) Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
(3) National Defense Science and Industry Bureau, Beijing, 100048, China

Abstract:

Technique of target selection and profiles of transfer trajectory for Chinese asteroid exploring mission are studied systemically. A complete set of approaches to selecting mission targets and designing the transfer trajectory is proposed. First, when selecting a target for mission, some factors regarded as the scientific motivations are discussed. Then, when analyzing the accessibility of targets, instead of the classical strategy, the multiple gravity-assist strategy is provided. The suitable and possible targets, taking into account scientific value and technically feasible, are obtained via selection and estimation. When designing the transfer trajectory for exploring asteroid mission, an approach to selecting gravity-assist celestial body is proposed. Finally, according to the mission constraints, the trajectory profile with 2-years ΔV-EGA for exploring asteroid is presented. Through analyzing the trajectory profile, unexpected result that the trajectory would pass by two main-belts asteroids is found. So, the original proposal is extended to the multiple flybys mission. It adds the scientific return for asteroid mission.

Link: Paper (PingYuan Cui, Dong Qiao, HuTao Cui and EnJie Luan, "Target selection and transfer trajectories design for exploring asteroid mission," SCIENCE CHINA Technological Sciences, Sunday, March 21, 2010)

Link: Paper (Rui Xua, Pingyuan Cuib, Dong Qiaob and Enjie Luanc, "Design and optimization of trajectory to Near-Earth asteroid for sample return mission using gravity assists," Advances in Space Research, Volume 40, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 220-225).

Link: Paper (Dong Qiaoa, Hutao Cuib and Pingyuan Cuia, "The design of transfer trajectory for Ivar asteroid exploration mission," Acta Astronautica, Volume 65, Issues 11-12, December 2009, Pages 1553-1560).