Multiple main-belt asteroid mission options for a Mariner Mark II spacecraftThis paper presents the trajectory options available for a MMII spacecraft mission to asteroids and introduces systematic methods of uncovering attractive mission opportunities. The analysis presented considers multiple synchronous gravity assists of Mars and introduces a terminal resonant or phasing orbit; a concept useful for both increasing the number of asteroid rendezvous targets attainable during a launch opportunity, and also in increasing the number of potential asteroid flybys. Systematic examinations of the requirements for superior asteroidal alignments are made and a comprehensive set of asteroid rendezvous opportunities for the 1998 to 2010 period are presented. Examples of candidate missions involving one or more rendezvous and several flybys are also presented.
Document ID
19900059763
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sauer, Carl G., Jr. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Yen, Chen-Wan L. (JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)