Full text
| |
| Author(s): |
Bruno Chagas Santos
Total Authors: 1
|
| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Guaratinguetá. 2023-02-27. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Engenharia. Guaratinguetá |
| Defense date: | 2023-01-18 |
| Advisor: | Antonio Fernando Bertachini de Almeida Prado |
| Abstract | |
We will present the use of the kinetic impact technique to deflect asteroids that may present some risk of collision with Earth at a given time. Within the work to be developed here, we intend to evaluate in more detail the possibility to deflect the orbit of the asteroid 101955 Bennu by applying variations in its velocity (∆v) at different positions within its orbital period and measuring the effects of close encounters with planet Earth. We will see that, in a relatively long period of time, the asteroid has several CPA (Closest point approach) with the planet, thus suffering a natural gravitational perturbation. With the application of the velocity variations, the relative distances change, making variations in the energy of the asteroid, which gives and a large variation in the relative distance between the asteroid and Earth over time. We present results related to the magnitude of the velocity variation applied, which is important fact due to the size of the impactor to be considered and, for that, we mapped the positions of the impulses along a period of the orbit of the asteroid. Within this scenario, we will also analyze more cases involving other PHAs (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids) in different periods between CPA to test the model and better understand the gravitational effects that may influence the asteroid orbit. We will also work with negligible mass asteroids, to try to avoid an asteroid collision with Earth in a short period of 2 years between a CPA and the collision. We will present results for a real asteroid that will have a CPA with Earth and then will return within an orbital period and collide with Earth. For this work, we chose the asteroid 99942 Apophis that will have a CPA with Earth. Our results show that using the gravitational effects of Earth, we will be able to considerably vary the orbit of the asteroid and even avoid collisions with Earth with not-so-great velocity variation. We finish by explaining what happens to the orbit of the asteroid during periods of gravitational perturbation, as the asteroid suffers several “Swing Bys” that intensify the variations in the relative distances between the bodies after the velocity variation. It gives a perspective of a possible mission within a collision scenario. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/17864-1 - Study of options to deflect an asteroid on a collision course with earth |
| Grantee: | Bruno Chagas Santos |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |