Citation
Abstract
The relative tracking and planning costs of close-proximity operations at asteroids and comets are defined and discussed. We consider a suite of four difierent close-proximity operations that spans a range of useful approaches to obtaining scientific measurements of a small body. Added to this are four difierent navigation measurement suites, ranging from a basic capability to an enhanced autonomous measurement capability. Four difierent measures are formulated, consisting of the feasibility of performing a given operation with a given navigation measurement suite, the fixed costs of model development for that operation and measurement suite, the recurring costs of monitoring the spacecraft during that operation, and the cost of planning scientific observations during the operation. This provides a simple characterization that allows comparisons between difierent approaches and will aid mission designers in formulating measurement strategies for small-body missions. A basic conclusion is that the benefits of additional onboard autonomy lie mostly in increased science return and reduced science planning. Reductions in total tracking costs given additional onboard autonomy capability are modest at best.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-141
- Published
- May 15, 2000
- Pages
- 1–12
- File Size
- 182.6 KB