SMALL NEAR EARTH ASTEROIDS AND GRAVITY ASSIST MANEUVERS AS BASIC CONSTITUENTS OF PLANETARY DEFENSE AGAINST HAZARDOUS SKY OBJECTS

摘要

One possible method for prevent dangerous sky objects collision with the Earth by means of changing the orbit of such objects is discussed. A concept of the method includes usage of small near-Earth asteroids that can be transferred to the gravity assist maneuver trajectory by means of a rather small velocity impulse. After the maneuver the small asteroid set to the orbit intercepted the target dangerous object. Small asteroids appropriate for such mission can be selected by solution of Lambert's problem. This concept is also discussed as a tool for transferring asteroids to the orbits resonant to the Earth orbit in order to organize regular science and exploration missions to these asteroids. Selection of asteroids can be performed by restricting the minimum of the abovementioned velocity impulse: an asteroid can be considered as appropriate for the mission if this minimum is less than 20 m/sec.