Intercepting Interstellar Objects

TL;DR

The paper discusses how the ESA Comet Interceptor mission concept could be adapted to enable the first in situ study of interstellar objects by waiting in space for such objects to be discovered and performing rapid flybys.

Contribution

It proposes an enhanced mission concept based on Comet Interceptor to visit and study interstellar objects in situ, a novel approach for interstellar exploration.

Findings

Potential for rapid response to interstellar objects

Feasibility of in situ investigation of interstellar visitors

Framework for future interstellar mission design

Abstract

We describe how the ESA Comet Interceptor mission, which is due to launch in 2028/29 to a yet-to-be-discovered target, can provide a conceptual basis for a future mission to visit an Interstellar Object. Comet Interceptor will wait in space until a suitable long period comet is discovered, allowing rapid response to perform a fast flyby of an object that will be in the inner Solar System for only a few years; an enhanced version of this concept could realistically provide the first in situ investigation of a visitor from another star system.