DISARM – Defending Interglobal Societies from Asteroid Ruin Mutually
Chelsea Dutenhoffer
ASTE-527
Scenario
TODAY: Dec 17, 2013
Earth
New NEO
A new near-Earth object is discovered!
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Problem
Earth
New NEO
9 months from now: Sep 17, 2014
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Threat Classification
9-month warning: must intercept asteroid on its final orbit
Fragment asteroid using subsurface nuclear explosive
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Background: Nuclear Fragmentation
1 Image from simulation described in paper by Wie & Dearborn, 2010
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June 9, 2014: 100 days before impact
Earth
New NEO
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Background: Debris Cloud Threat
Mass of fragments (Tons)
Number of fragments
Miss Distance (Earth Radii)
Miss Distance (Earth Radii)
Only a small amount of debris impacts Earth
1 Image from model described in paper by Wie & Dearborn, 2010
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Proposal
Nuclear Destroyers Strategic Deflectors Reconnaissance Craft
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Phase 1: Reconnaissance
Phase 2: Fragmentation
Phase 3: Debris cloud monitoring � and strategic deflection
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Reconnaissance Spacecraft (1)
Purpose:
Heritage:
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Reconnaissance Spacecraft (2)
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Nuclear Destroyers (1)
Purpose:
Heritage:
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Nuclear Destroyers (2)
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Strategic Deflectors (1)
Purpose:
Heritage:
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Strategic Deflectors (2)
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Launch Vehicles
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Ground Stations
Goldstone
Madrid
Canberra
Malargüe
Cebreros
New Norcia
Svalbard
TrollSat
Kourou
Bear Lakes
Byalalu
Yevpatoria
Galenki
Miyun
Kashi
Sanya
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Advantages of International Coordination
International approval politically necessary for nuclear fragmentation mission
�Mission too large for unilateral action
International approval politically necessary for nuclear fragmentation mission
�Mission too large for unilateral action
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Future Studies
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References
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