A REVIEW OF INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR NEAR EARTH OBJECT (NEO) MITIGATION

摘要

Asteroid and comet impacts are relevant natural threats to the Earth. This paper will review Near Earth Object (NEO) mitigation techniques with a specific focus on innovative techniques beyond traditional kinetic impactors and nuclear deflection. A review will be given of the latest asteroid threats and previous mitigation concepts. These approaches are not specific to one particular asteroid/comet type, size, or composition but general enough to be applied to various targets. Details on two specific concept approaches will be presented. These specific approaches are those derived from a 2008 global asteroid mitigation technical paper competition administered by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). The objective of the competition was to encourage global interest in the topic of the NEO hazard while simultaneously attempting to develop innovative mitigation techniques.