A New Method of Capturing and Transporting Asteroid to a Lunar Orbit

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel asteroid capture and transport system using multiple small probes to efficiently retrieve a 7-meter asteroid and bring it to lunar orbit for exploration and data collection.

Contribution

It introduces the ARES system, combining existing technologies with new ideas for asteroid retrieval and lunar orbit transportation.

Findings

Mathematical analysis supports system feasibility

Potential for efficient asteroid capture demonstrated

System design tailored for small, 7-meter asteroids

Abstract

Through multiple, small unmanned probes we can more efficiently capture an asteroid and return it to lunar orbit. The Asteroid Return and Exploration System (ARES) aims to make use of previously tested technology with the application of a new idea to satisfy a goal in the retrieval and the subsequent exploration, classification and data acquisition of an asteroid that is approximately 7 meters in diameter and 350,000 kilograms in mass. Research is conducted according to mathematical analyses of the given data and extrapolated variables.