Related papers: Small-body deflection techniques using spacecraft:…
The regolith-covered surfaces of asteroids preserve records of geophysical processes that have occurred both at their surfaces and sometimes also in their interiors. As a result of the unique micro-gravity environment that these bodies…
We first review the reasons for carrying out statistical analysis of results from large numbers of N-body simulations, including a summary of previous work. Then we describe some results about the behaviour of N-body systems which have been…
The paper considers autonomous rendezvous maneuver and proximity operations of two spacecraft in presence of obstacles. A strategy that combines guidance and control algorithms is analyzed. The proposed closed-loop system is able to…
We investigate the impact on convective numerical simulations of thermo-compositional diabatic processes. We focus our study on simulations with a stabilizing temperature gradient and a destabilizing mean-molecular weight gradient. We aim…
After the initial fast spiral-in phase experienced by a common-envelope binary, the system may enter a slow, self-regulated phase, possibly lasting 100s of years, in which all the energy released by orbital decay can be efficiently…
This work presents an experimental design for studying low-velocity collisions into granular surfaces in low-gravity. In the experiment apparatus, reduced-gravity is simulated by releasing a free-falling projectile into a surface container…
The development of sputtering facilities, at the moment, is mainly pursued through experimental tests, or simply by expertise in the field, and relies much less on numerical simulation of the process environment. This leads to great efforts…
Recent observations of asteroidal surfaces indicate the presence of materials that do not match the bulk lithology of the body. A possible explanation for the presence of these exogenous materials is that they are products of inter-asteroid…
Two-dimensional numerical simulations with Eulerian-Lagrangian method are conducted to study propagation and extinction of stoichiometric hydrogen/air detonations in fine water sprays. Parameterized by water mass loading and initial droplet…
Asteroid impacts pose a major threat to all life on Earth. The age of the dinosaurs was abruptly ended by a 10-km-diameter asteroid. Currently, a nuclear device is the only means of deflecting large Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs)…
Simulations inform all aspects of modern astrophysical research, ranging in scale from 1D and 2D test problems that can run in seconds on an astronomer's laptop all the way to large-scale 3D calculations that run on the largest…
Plastic deformation In crystalline materials is controlled by the motion and interactions of dislocations [AND 17]. Discrete Dislocation Dynamics (DDD) simulations have now existed for about 25 years to investigate plastic flow at the…
As the number of uncontrollable objects in low earth orbit is rising, the thread of collisions and thus the breakdown of working satellites becomes worth analyzing. Consequently, projects on removing objects from the important orbits are…
We present a practical guide to Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (\SPH) and its application to astrophysical problems. Although remarkably robust, \SPH\ must be used with care if the results are to be meaningful since the accuracy of \SPH\…
Construction of the precise shape of an asteroid is critical for spacecraft operations as the gravitational potential is determined by spatial mass distribution. The typical approach to shape determination requires a prolonged mapping phase…
The interest in the problem of small asteroids observed shortly before a deep close approach or an impact with the Earth has grown a lot in recent years. Since the observational dataset of such objects is very limited, they deserve…
The isospin effect and isoscaling behavior in projectile fragmentation have been systematically investigated by a modified statistical abrasion-ablation (SAA) model. The normalized peak differences and reduced isoscaling parameters are…
A deep-space exploration mission with low-thrust propulsion to rendezvous with multiple asteroids is investigated. Indirect methods, based on the optimal control theory, are implemented to optimize the fuel consumption. The application of…
While almost all potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) with a size larger than one kilometre have been discovered, it is well-known that the vast majority of the smaller ones are in fact yet to be found. There is therefore an excellent…
There is a desire to observe the sun's poles to further deepen our understanding of solar activity. However, because of the large speeds needed to perform out-of-ecliptic plane maneuvers, chemical and electric rocket propulsion mechanisms…