Date of Award

Spring 2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Program/Concentration

Aerospace Engineering

Committee Director

Brett Newman

Committee Member

Robert L. Ash

Committee Member

Colin P. Britcher

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E535 C35 2012

Abstract

In this thesis, methodologies and capabilities for mission trajectory design to asteroid 2000 SG344 are investigated. Design of orbital trajectories for interplanetary space flight requires application of principles from orbital mechanics including three dimensional orbital element description, orbit propagation, asteroid ephemerides, targeting logic, relative motion dynamics, and numerical algorithm implementation. The thesis research will attempt to assemble and integrate these various topics to achieve a general capability to conduct asteroid mission trajectory design. Further, appropriate methodology including selection of assumptions and models, computation process and flow, and design metrics and trades to achieve a practical and effective trajectory design process are considered in the research. A specific case study is considered where a family of near Earth asteroids is reviewed, several candidate asteroids are noted for potential exploration, and a final selection of a single asteroid is made, followed by a specific mission trajectory design search and selection to this asteroid, accounting for mission requirements and constraints. The case study focuses on asteroid 2000 SG344.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/5093-gr72

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