Using a laser-pushed solar sail to deflect the trajectory of an asteroid

Abstract:

Planet Earth is constantly exposed to the risk of the collision of an asteroid on its surface. Such an event implicates in catastrophic consequences to all of its living organisms. The human species, ever since developing space exploration technology, applied their resources in searching for techniques to avoid such an incident. This study analyses the possibility of employing a laser-pushed solar sail in order to deflect the trajectory of an asteroid in a collision course towards planet Earth. Initially, the solar sail spacecraft is used to maneuver itself into a rendezvous with the potencially colliding asteroid. Afterwards, a succesful landing is considered to furthermore analyse the effects a constant laser emission from the surface of the Earth and in the direction of the solar sail has over the trajectory of the asteroid. Different scenarios are considered in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique in each situation. From these scenarios, it was possible to compare the relations that different masses of the asteroids, solar sail reflective area and laser beam emission power have in effect to the time necessary to achieve a successful deflection of the asteroid in order to avoid a colision. The employment of a laser beam emission largely increases the capacity of a solar sail spacecraft to deflect the trajectory of an asteroid. It reduces the need for larger spacecraft structures and allows the successful deflection of more massive bodies over a shorter period of time. The authors believe this technology presents itself as an aditional defense barrier for humankind in the event of a possible asteroid collision.