Proximity Operations about Apophis through its 2029 Earth Flyby

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the feasibility and analyzes different proximity operation strategies for a spacecraft near asteroid Apophis during its 2029 Earth flyby, focusing on control and dynamics for observation missions.

Contribution

It introduces and assesses three novel proximity operation methods around Apophis during its 2029 flyby, demonstrating their feasibility and challenges.

Findings

Proximity operations around Apophis during 2029 are feasible.

Three types of proximity motion are analyzed and shown to be possible.

Operational challenges and basic aspects are discussed.

Abstract

The dynamics and control of a satellite in proximity to the asteroid Apophis across its Earth close approach in 2029 is evaluated and investigated. First, the feasibility of carrying out close proximity operations about Apophis when in its heliocentric orbit phase is evaluated and shown to be feasible. Then three different types of close proximity motion relative to Apophis are analyzed that will enable a spacecraft to take observations throughout the Earth close approach. These are maintaining a relative orbit that is somewhat distant from Apophis, hovering along the Earth-Apophis line, or maintaining orbit about Apophis through the flyby. Each of these are shown to be feasible, albeit challenging, and some basic aspects of these operations are noted and discussed.