LIVE: 2012 DA14 - NEO Encounter Mission

[Ben the Space Brit]

I just saw in the news the discovery of a new Earth-Grazing NEO in the Tunguska-class (~50m diameter).

Link to Article

Setting aside the usual mass-media hysteria about NEOs and their potential hazard to civilisation, given than 2012 DA14 makes a close approach to Earth about every year (and a very close approach at that), is is a viable possible target for an early SLS-launched NEO mission.  It certainly comes close enough that a mission of <28 days could be contemplated.  I imagine the rendezvous would be beyond the Moon at the end of a hyperbolic trajectory.  The spacecraft could then match orbit for the return to Earth for a day or so.  A fairly short burn of the Orion SM engine should be sufficient to align the crew vehicle for re-entry.

In hardware terms, in all likelihood, this could be a single-launch mission.  You could contrapt one using an Orion, an ATV-based hab and a propulsion module for the initial escape burn.  Naturally, the more effort you put into the hardware, the more return.

Thoughts and comments?

[deltaV]

According to
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2012%20DA14;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=1#cad
DA14 is inclined 10 degrees and is moving at 6 km/s when it passes near Earth. This would make a DA14 visit mission fairly costly in delta-vee terms despite the low distance. That said it might be nice for political purposes to visit a NEO that's a real (albeit small) threat to the Earth.

[Robotbeat]

According to
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2012%20DA14;orb=1;cov=0;log=0;cad=1#cad
DA14 is inclined 10 degrees and is moving at 6 km/s when it passes near Earth. This would make a DA14 visit mission fairly costly in delta-vee terms despite the low distance. That said it might be nice for political purposes to visit a NEO that's a real (albeit small) threat to the Earth.

Yes, fairly costly in delta-v, agreed. With a powerful SEP stack (in the Megawatt range), you could do it. The SEP stack could also be used for a fast Conjunction-class Mars mission (i.e. less than 500 days).

[HappyMartian]

I just saw in the news the discovery of a new Earth-Grazing NEO in the Tunguska-class (~50m diameter).

Link to Article
.....

Thoughts and comments?

"The Chang'e-2 is now on an extensive exploration mission some 1.5 million km from Earth. Ye said it is in good condition and scientists are planning its next stage.

"'It could fly toward the Earth to test returning orbit for future spacecraft or travel farther to explore an asteroid, he said."
   
From: Mission to bring back lunar soil  By Xin Dingding (China Daily)
At: http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-03/16/content_14845488.htm

Would it be feasible and worthwhile for Chang'e-2 to do a close high speed flyby reconnaissance mission to 2012 DA14?

Is it feasible and worthwhile to use any other robotic spacecraft to do such a close high speed flyby reconnaissance mission?

Cheers!

[HappyMartian]

....
Thoughts and comments?

More "Thoughts and comments"... 

Will the Hubble Space Telescope be in a good position to get some pictures of 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013? What about our various other space assets?

What about the relative position of the ISS? Will 2012 DA14 be visible to the ISS crew? What instruments and telescopes does the ISS have that might be useful for gathering data on 2012 DA14?

Would it be useful or wise to slightly adjust the orbital height of the ISS and other spacecraft to allow them to eventually be in position for an optimal view of 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013?

What part of the hemisphere will be directly under 2012 DA14 at its closest approach to the Earth? What time of the day or night will it be directly below during the closest approach? Are there any powerful telescopes and radar systems on Earth that would be in a good position to gain data on 2012 DA14 during its closest approach? 

Who is coordinating the effort to maximize data collection of this close encounter with 2012 DA14?


Note that Hernalt has already had a thought about 2012 DA14.

"Blast it or paint it: Asteroid to threaten Earth in 2013 Published: 03 March, 2012, 22:32"
http://rt.com/news/paint-asteroid-earth-nasa-767/

"To avert a possible catastrophe – this time set for February 2013 – scientists suggest confronting asteroid 2012 DA14 with either paint or big guns. The stickler is that time has long run out to build a spaceship to carry out the operation. ­NASA's data shows the 60-meter asteroid, spotted by Spanish stargazers in February, will whistle by Earth in 11 months. Its trajectory will bring it within a hair’s breadth of our planet, raising fears of a possible collision. The asteroid, known as DA14, will pass by our planet in February 2013 at a distance of under 27,000 km (16,700 miles). This is closer than the geosynchronous orbit of some satellites. There is a possibility the asteroid will collide with Earth..."

How are those essays coming along, Prudence?

Maybe it would be a good topic for some student essays... and some useful research using all the tools we currently have.

You also have to wonder if there was any serious discussion and planning for this close encounter with 2012 DA14 during the International Space Station Heads of Agencies Meeting in Canada...

None? Really? Did anyone ask?

Canada hosts the International Space Station Heads of Agencies Meeting
in Quebec City

Longueuil, Quebec, February 29, 2012 – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is hosting the International Space Station Heads of Agencies meeting in Quebec City on March 1st. 

The heads of the International Space Station partners will discuss cooperation in space exploration; the use, maintenance and future of the ISS and the benefits of the Space Station for humanity.

Media are invited to attend a press conference following the meeting.

When:          Thursday, March 1, 2012
...
Who:            Steve MacLean, President, Canadian Space Agency

Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator (USA)

Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General, European Space Agency (ESA)

Vladimir Popovkin, Director, Roscosmos (Russia)

Keiji Tachikawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
                 
....

"Due to the uncertainty in the short observation arc of 22 days, there is also a small possibility that the asteroid will pass 0.0013 AU (190,000 km; 120,000 mi) from the Earth on February 15, 2013."
From: 2012 DA14   At: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_DA14


"However, current predictions indicate that on its next flyby, due on 15 February 2013, it will pass Earth at just 24 000 km – closer than many commercial satellites.

'This is a safe distance, but it is still close enough to make the asteroid visible in normal binoculars,' says Detlef Koschny, responsible for near-earth objects in ESA’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) office."
From: Near-miss asteroid will return next year   At: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SSA/SEMWTUAYLZG_0.html


See:
List of space telescopes
At: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_telescopes

List of largest optical reflecting telescopes
At: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_optical_reflecting_telescopes


Cheers!

[HappyMartian]

Asteroid 2012 EG5 Gives Earth Close Shave On April Fools' Day
At: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/31/asteroid-2012-eg5-earth-april-fools-day_n_1393856.html

[kevin-rf]

Asteroid 2012 EG5 Gives Earth Close Shave On April Fools' Day
At: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/31/asteroid-2012-eg5-earth-april-fools-day_n_1393856.html

btw. Spaceweather.com has an image of it. http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=02&month=04&year=2012

[deltaV]

JPL has published some data on possible human NEO missions:

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/nhats/

[catdlr]

MEDIA ADVISORY : M13-031
 
 
NASA to Chronicle Close Earth Flyby of Asteroid
 
 
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA Television will provide commentary starting at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. PST) on Friday, Feb. 15, during the close, but safe, flyby of a small near-Earth asteroid named 2012 DA14. NASA places a high priority on tracking asteroids and protecting our home planet from them. This flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close.

The half-hour broadcast from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., will incorporate real-time animation to show the location of the asteroid in relation to Earth, along with live or near real-time views of the asteroid from observatories in Australia, weather permitting.

At the time of its closest approach to Earth at approximately 2:25 p.m. EST (11:25 a.m. PST/ 19:25 UTC), the asteroid will be about 17,150 miles (27,600 kilometers) above Earth's surface.

The commentary will be available via NASA TV and streamed live online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


and


http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2


In addition to the commentary, near real-time imagery of the asteroid's flyby before and after closest approach, made available to NASA by astronomers in Australia and Europe, weather permitting, will be streamed beginning at about noon EST (9 a.m. PST) and continuing through the afternoon at the following website:

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2


A Ustream feed of the flyby from a telescope at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will be streamed for three hours starting at 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. CST). To view the feed and ask researchers questions about the flyby via Twitter, visit:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc


The NASA Near Earth Objects (NEO) Program at the agency's headquarters in Washington, manages and funds the search, study, and monitoring of NEOs, or asteroids and comets, whose orbits periodically bring them close to the Earth. NASA's study of NEOs provides important clues to understanding the origin of our solar system. The objects also are a repository of natural resources and could become waystations for future exploration. In collaboration with other external organizations, one of the program's key goals is to search and hopefully mitigate potential NEO impacts on Earth. JPL conducts the NEO program's technical and scientific activities.

For more information, including graphics and animations showing the flyby of 2012 DA14, visit:

www.nasa.gov/asteroidflyby


For more information about asteroids and near-Earth objects, visit:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch

 
- end -


(edit: my highlighting)

[jgoldader]

More "Thoughts and comments"... 

Will the Hubble Space Telescope be in a good position to get some pictures of 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013? What about our various other space assets?

Hubble can't track at the rates needed to follow the asteroid.  Unfortunately, the big radars that do such a nice job at imaging asteroids are on the wrong side of the world to observe it at close approach, but I read they'll be able to get data some hours later.  Don't know what to expect in terms of resolution.

Jeff

[Space Pete]

Apparently the ISS crew managed to snap a pic - which is a first!

Although apparently we're talking literally a dot against a black canvas, so don't get your hopes up for some amazingly detailed image.

[Chris Bergin]

Might be worth a live thread seen as NASA TV will be doing a 30 min show on it. I'll have a think.

[jacqmans]

Planetary Resources’ Arkyd-100 Spacecraft to Assist in Early Detection and Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids

Future asteroid mining industry will provide capability to aid the deflection of potentially hazardous objects near Earth

Bellevue, Wash. – February 14, 2013 – Planetary Resources, Inc. (PRI) announced, on the eve of 2012 DA14’s close pass of Earth, that the Arkyd-100 Series – technology demonstrator for asteroid prospecting missions – will assist in the detection and characterization of potentially hazardous asteroids near Earth, and follow-on Arkyd spacecraft will have the capability and infrastructure for intercepting asteroids which will inform the deflection of potentially rogue objects.

Today, there are approximately 610,000 asteroids that are tracked in our Solar System.  This number represents less than one percent of the estimated objects that orbit the Sun. Scientists are closely tracking 434 asteroids which are large enough, and come close enough to the Earth to be of potential future concern, and while none of these pose any significant risk today, increased surveillance is required.

“Our planet is orbiting in a swarm of small remnants from the formation of the Solar System.  Some of these objects have orbits that either approach or even cross Earth’s orbit around the Sun.  There are currently only 10,000 known near-Earth asteroids, with close to a million more that still need to be cataloged,” said Tom Jones, Ph.D., veteran NASA astronaut, planetary scientist and Planetary Resources, Inc. advisor.

Asteroids of the size of 2012 DA14 may number as many as 500,000.  “2012 DA14 will be making history when it streaks past Earth. Surprisingly, it was only discovered last year.  Asteroids, in addition to being extremely valuable for precious resources, can also be extremely dangerous,” said Eric Anderson, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.  “Knowing where the objects are, and having a comprehensive catalog of them, will be an indispensable asset for human civilization over the next several centuries.”

While the primary business of Planetary Resources is to prospect and mine asteroids with high concentrations of water and precious metals, the company views that this economically driven activity will also aid in protecting Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids.  “Mining asteroids will ultimately benefit humanity on and off Earth in a multitude of ways.  First, by providing access to the fuels that will provide the acceleration for humans to further explore space.  Second, by expanding humanity’s economic access to Platinum Group Metals which is important for our rapidly growing high-technology industries; and, third, by giving us the infrastructure to routinely and swiftly interact with and move asteroids, like 2012 DA14, which could someday pose a threat to Earth,” said Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.

On the production floor, Planetary Resources has full-scale mechanical prototypes of the Arkyd-100 Series which is the first line in its family of deep-space prospecting spacecraft.  “The Arkyd-100 Series will be the most advanced spacecraft per kilogram that has ever been built. The system will be highly capable and cost-effective which will allow for a constellation of them to be launched.  That efficiency will not only fast-track our asteroid prospecting effort, but will also lend a hand in scientific discovery and planetary defense,” Chris Lewicki, President and Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources, Inc.

Planetary Resources, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Eric Anderson and Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.  Their vision is to establish a new paradigm for resource utilization that will bring the solar system within humanity’s economic sphere of influence.  The company will conduct low-cost robotic space exploration beginning with the Arkyd-100 Series of space telescope missions that will identify the most commercially viable near-Earth asteroids.  These initial missions will assist the company in enabling the retrieval of raw materials from these select asteroids, ranging from water to precious metals.

Planetary Resources is financed by industry-launching visionaries, three of whom include Google’s CEO Larry Page & Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group, who are committed to expanding the world’s resource base so that humanity can continue to grow and prosper.  Some of the company’s advisors include film maker and explorer James Cameron, former Chief of Staff, United States Air Force General T. Michael Moseley (Ret.) and Sara Seager, Ph.D, Professor of Planetary Science and Physics at MIT.

For more information, please visit www.PlanetaryResources.com.

[Blackstar]

Yeah, well...

[Blackstar]

Anybody seriously interested in the issue of searching for asteroids and what to do about deflecting them from hitting Earth can check out this study from 2010:

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12842

Free download.

[ChileVerde]

This is interesting; apparently the tidal forces on the asteroid will be great enough during the fly-by that people are going to be looking, via radar imagery, for signs of surface displacement.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/14feb_asteroidquakes/

[kevin-rf]

Saw that, does that mean it will be inside the Roche limit? Might it suddenly sport a dust cloud? That would be cool...

[Chris Bergin]

Live thread for whatever NASA TV put out. Hopefully it won't be just a grinning presenter and we'll get some nice graphics from JPL.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]