@inproceedings{GrundmannBauerBorchersetal.2019, author = {Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Bauer, Wlademar and Borchers, Kai and Dumont, Etienne and Grimm, Christian D. and Ho, Tra-Mi and Jahnke, Rico and Koch, Aaron D. and Lange, Caroline and Maiwald, Volker and Meß, Jan-Gerd and Mikulz, Eugen and Quantius, Dominik and Reershemius, Siebo and Renger, Thomas and Sasaki, Kaname and Seefeldt, Patric and Spietz, Peter and Spr{\"o}witz, Tom and Sznajder, Maciej and Toth, Norbert and Ceriotti, Matteo and McInnes, Colin and Peloni, Alessandro and Biele, Jens and Krause, Christian and Dachwald, Bernd and Hercik, David and Lichtenheldt, Roy and Wolff, Friederike and Koncz, Alexander and Pelivan, Ivanka and Schmitz, Nicole and Boden, Ralf and Riemann, Johannes and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Wejmo, Elisabet and Ziach, Christian and Mikschl, Tobias and Montenegro, Sergio and Ruffer, Michael and Cordero, Federico and Tardivel, Simon}, title = {Solar sails for planetary defense \& high-energy missions}, series = {IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings}, booktitle = {IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings}, doi = {10.1109/AERO.2019.8741900}, pages = {1 -- 21}, year = {2019}, abstract = {20 years after the successful ground deployment test of a (20 m) 2 solar sail at DLR Cologne, and in the light of the upcoming U.S. NEAscout mission, we provide an overview of the progress made since in our mission and hardware design studies as well as the hardware built in the course of our solar sail technology development. We outline the most likely and most efficient routes to develop solar sails for useful missions in science and applications, based on our developed `now-term' and near-term hardware as well as the many practical and managerial lessons learned from the DLR-ESTEC Gossamer Roadmap. Mission types directly applicable to planetary defense include single and Multiple NEA Rendezvous ((M)NR) for precursor, monitoring and follow-up scenarios as well as sail-propelled head-on retrograde kinetic impactors (RKI) for mitigation. Other mission types such as the Displaced L1 (DL1) space weather advance warning and monitoring or Solar Polar Orbiter (SPO) types demonstrate the capability of near-term solar sails to achieve asteroid rendezvous in any kind of orbit, from Earth-coorbital to extremely inclined and even retrograde orbits. Some of these mission types such as SPO, (M)NR and RKI include separable payloads. For one-way access to the asteroid surface, nanolanders like MASCOT are an ideal match for solar sails in micro-spacecraft format, i.e. in launch configurations compatible with ESPA and ASAP secondary payload platforms. Larger landers similar to the JAXA-DLR study of a Jupiter Trojan asteroid lander for the OKEANOS mission can shuttle from the sail to the asteroids visited and enable multiple NEA sample-return missions. The high impact velocities and re-try capability achieved by the RKI mission type on a final orbit identical to the target asteroid's but retrograde to its motion enables small spacecraft size impactors to carry sufficient kinetic energy for deflection.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GrundmannLangeDachwaldetal.2015, author = {Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Lange, Caroline and Dachwald, Bernd and Grimm, Christian and Koch, Aaron and Ulamec, Stephan}, title = {Small Spacecraft in Planetary Defence Related Applications-Capabilities, Constraints, Challenges}, series = {IEEE Aerospace Conference}, booktitle = {IEEE Aerospace Conference}, pages = {1 -- 18}, year = {2015}, abstract = {In this paper we present an overview of the characteristics and peculiarities of small spacecraft missions related to planetary defence applications. We provide a brief overview of small spacecraft missions to small solar system bodies. On this background we present recent missions and selected projects and related studies at the German Aerospace Center, DLR, that contribute to planetary defence related activities. These range from Earth orbit technology demonstrators to active science missions in interplanetary space. We provide a summary of experience from recently flown missions with DLR participation as well as a number of studies. These include PHILAE, the lander recently arrived on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko aboard ESA's ROSETTA comet rendezvous mission, and the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, MASCOT, now underway to near-Earth asteroid (162173) 1999 JU3 aboard the Japanese sample-return probe HAYABUSA-2. We introduce the differences between the conventional methods employed in the design, integration and testing of large spacecraft and the new approaches developed by small spacecraft projects. We expect that the practical experience that can be gained from projects on extremely compressed timelines or with high-intensity operation phases on a newly explored small solar system body can contribute significantly to the study, preparation and realization of future planetary defence related missions. One is AIDA (Asteroid Impact \& Deflection Assessment), a joint effort of ESA,JHU/APL, NASA, OCA and DLR, combining JHU/APL's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) and ESA's AIM (Asteroid Impact Monitor) spacecraft in a mission towards near-Eath binary asteroid (65803) Didymos.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMengaliQuartaetal.2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandro A. and Circi, Christian}, title = {Refined Solar Sail Force Model with Mission Application / Giovanni Mengali ; Alessandro A. Quarta , Christian Circi ; Bernd Dachwald}, series = {Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics. 30 (2007), H. 2}, journal = {Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics. 30 (2007), H. 2}, isbn = {0162-3192}, pages = {512 -- 520}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldOhndorfWie2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, A. and Wie, Bong}, title = {Solar Sail Trajectory Optimization for the Solar Polar Imager (SPI) Mission}, series = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference \& Exhibit : [21 - 24 August 2006, Keystone, Colorado ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [11.]2006,19-20 )}, journal = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference \& Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference \& Exhibit : [21 - 24 August 2006, Keystone, Colorado ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [11.]2006,19-20 )}, publisher = {American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, isbn = {1-56347-802-1}, pages = {2 CD-ROMs.}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldMengaliQuartaetal.2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandro A and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R}, title = {Optical solar sail degradation modelling}, series = {1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 27}, year = {2007}, abstract = {We propose a simple parametric OSSD model that describes the variation of the sail film's optical coefficients with time, depending on the sail film's environmental history, i.e., the radiation dose. The primary intention of our model is not to describe the exact behavior of specific film-coating combinations in the real space environment, but to provide a more general parametric framework for describing the general optical degradation behavior of solar sails.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSchmidtSeboldtetal.2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Schmidt, Tanja D. and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Auweter-Kurtz,}, title = {Flight Opportunities from Mars to Earth for Piloted Missions Using Continuous Thrust Propulsion / Schmidt, Tanja D. ; Dachwald, Bernd ; Seboldt, Wolfgang ; Auweter-Kurtz, Monika}, publisher = {-}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{HeinEubanksHibberdetal.2020, author = {Hein, Andreas M. and Eubanks, T. Marshall and Hibberd, Adam and Fries, Dan and Schneider, Jean and Lingam, Manasvi and Kennedy, Robert and Perakis, Nikolaos and Dachwald, Bernd and Kervella, Pierre}, title = {Interstellar Now! Missions to and sample returns from nearby interstellar objects}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The recently discovered first high velocity hyperbolic objects passing through the Solar System, 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, have raised the question about near term missions to Interstellar Objects. In situ spacecraft exploration of these objects will allow the direct determination of both their structure and their chemical and isotopic composition, enabling an entirely new way of studying small bodies from outside our solar system. In this paper, we map various Interstellar Object classes to mission types, demonstrating that missions to a range of Interstellar Object classes are feasible, using existing or near-term technology. We describe flyby, rendezvous and sample return missions to interstellar objects, showing various ways to explore these bodies characterizing their surface, dynamics, structure and composition. Interstellar objects likely formed very far from the solar system in both time and space; their direct exploration will constrain their formation and history, situating them within the dynamical and chemical evolution of the Galaxy. These mission types also provide the opportunity to explore solar system bodies and perform measurements in the far outer solar system.}, language = {en} } @article{CampenKowalskiLyonsetal.2019, author = {Campen, R. and Kowalski, Julia and Lyons, W.B. and Tulaczyk, S. and Dachwald, Bernd and Pettit, E. and Welch, K. A. and Mikucki, J.A.}, title = {Microbial diversity of an Antarctic subglacial community and high-resolution replicate sampling inform hydrological connectivity in a polar desert}, series = {Environmental Microbiology}, journal = {Environmental Microbiology}, number = {accepted article}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1462-2920}, doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14607}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BaaderReiswichBartschetal.2018, author = {Baader, Fabian and Reiswich, M. and Bartsch, M. and Keller, D. and Tiede, E. and Keck, G. and Demircian, A. and Friedrich, M. and Dachwald, Bernd and Sch{\"u}ller, K. and Lehmann, R. and Chojetzki, R. and Durand, C. and Rapp, L. and Kowalski, Julia and F{\"o}rstner, R.}, title = {VIPER - Student research on extraterrestrical ice penetration technology}, series = {Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities}, pages = {1 -- 6}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Recent analysis of scientific data from Cassini and earth-based observations gave evidence for a global ocean under a surrounding solid ice shell on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Images of Enceladus' South Pole showed several fissures in the ice shell with plumes constantly exhausting frozen water particles, building up the E-Ring, one of the outer rings of Saturn. In this southern region of Enceladus, the ice shell is considered to be as thin as 2 km, about an order of magnitude thinner than on the rest of the moon. Under the ice shell, there is a global ocean consisting of liquid water. Scientists are discussing different approaches the possibilities of taking samples of water, i.e. by melting through the ice using a melting probe. FH Aachen UAS developed a prototype of maneuverable melting probe which can navigate through the ice that has already been tested successfully in a terrestrial environment. This means no atmosphere and or ambient pressure, low ice temperatures of around 100 to 150K (near the South Pole) and a very low gravity of 0,114 m/s^2 or 1100 μg. Two of these influencing measures are about to be investigated at FH Aachen UAS in 2017, low ice temperature and low ambient pressure below the triple point of water. Low gravity cannot be easily simulated inside a large experiment chamber, though. Numerical simulations of the melting process at RWTH Aachen however are showing a gravity dependence of melting behavior. Considering this aspect, VIPER provides a link between large-scale experimental simulations at FH Aachen UAS and numerical simulations at RWTH Aachen. To analyze the melting process, about 90 seconds of experiment time in reduced gravity and low ambient pressure is provided by the REXUS rocket. In this time frame, the melting speed and contact force between ice and probes are measured, as well as heating power and a two-dimensional array of ice temperatures. Additionally, visual and infrared cameras are used to observe the melting process.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Multiple Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous and Sample Return Using First Generation Solar Sailcraft}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 57 (2005), H. 11}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 57 (2005), H. 11}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {864 -- 875}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @incollection{DachwaldBoehnhardtBrojetal.2014, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Boehnhardt, Herrmann and Broj, Ulrich and Geppert, Ulrich R. M. E. and Grundmann, Jan-Thimo and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Seefeldt, Patric and Spietz, Peter and Johnson, Les and K{\"u}hrt, Ekkehard and Mottola, Stefano and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R. and Vasile, Massimiliano and Reinhard, Ruedeger}, title = {Gossamer roadmap technology reference study for a multiple NEO Rendezvous Mission}, series = {Advances in solar sailing}, booktitle = {Advances in solar sailing}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin [u.a.]}, isbn = {978-3-642-34906-5 (Print) ; 978-3-642-34907-2 (E-Book)}, pages = {211 -- 226}, year = {2014}, abstract = {A technology reference study for a multiple near-Earth object (NEO) rendezvous mission with solar sailcraft is currently carried out by the authors of this paper. The investigated mission builds on previous concepts, but adopts a strong micro-spacecraft philosophy based on the DLR/ESA Gossamer technology. The main scientific objective of the mission is to explore the diversity of NEOs. After direct interplanetary insertion, the solar sailcraft should—within less than 10 years—rendezvous three NEOs that are not only scientifically interesting, but also from the point of human spaceight and planetary defense. In this paper, the objectives of the study are outlined and a preliminary potential mission profile is presented.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PeloniDachwaldCeriotti2017, author = {Peloni, Alessandro and Dachwald, Bernd and Ceriotti, Matteo}, title = {Multiple NEA rendezvous mission: Solar sailing options}, series = {Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The scientific interest in near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and the classification of some of those as potentially hazardous asteroid for the Earth stipulated the interest in NEA exploration. Close-up observations of these objects will increase drastically our knowledge about the overall NEA population. For this reason, a multiple NEA rendezvous mission through solar sailing is investigated, taking advantage of the propellantless nature of this groundbreaking propulsion technology. Considering a spacecraft based on the DLR/ESA Gossamer technology, this work focuses on the search of possible sequences of NEA encounters. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through a number of fully-optimized trajectories. The results show that it is possible to visit five NEAs within 10 years with near-term solar-sail technology. Moreover, a study on a reduced NEA database demonstrates the reliability of the approach used, showing that 58\% of the sequences found with an approximated trajectory model can be converted into real solar-sail trajectories. Lastly, this second study shows the effectiveness of the proposed automatic optimization algorithm, which is able to find solutions for a large number of mission scenarios without any input required from the user.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaelAtanasyanBerdugoetal.2019, author = {Schael, S. and Atanasyan, A. and Berdugo, J. and Bretz, T. and Czupalla, Markus and Dachwald, Bernd and Doetinchem, P. von and Duranti, M. and Gast, H. and Karpinski, W. and Kirn, T. and L{\"u}belsmeyer, K. and Ma{\~n}a, C. and Marrocchesi, P.S. and Mertsch, P. and Moskalenko, I.V. and Schervan, T. and Schluse, M. and Schr{\"o}der, K.-U. and Schultz von Dratzig, A. and Senatore, C. and Spies, L. and Wakely, S.P. and Wlochal, M. and Uglietti, D. and Zimmermann, J.}, title = {AMS-100: The next generation magnetic spectrometer in space - An international science platform for physics and astrophysics at Lagrange point 2}, series = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment}, volume = {944}, journal = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment}, number = {162561}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-9002}, doi = {10.1016/j.nima.2019.162561}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Solar sailcraft of the first generation mission applications to near-earth asteroids}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KonstantinidisDachwaldOhndorfetal.2013, author = {Konstantinidis, K. and Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, A. and Dykta, P. and Voigt, K. and F{\"o}rstner, R.}, title = {Enceladus explorer (ENEX): A lander mission to probe subglacial water pockets on Saturn's moon enceladus for life}, series = {64th International Astronautical Congress 2013 (IAC 2013) : Beijing, China, 23 - 27 September 2013. (Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC ; 2)}, booktitle = {64th International Astronautical Congress 2013 (IAC 2013) : Beijing, China, 23 - 27 September 2013. (Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC ; 2)}, publisher = {Curran}, address = {Red Hook, NY}, organization = {International Astronautical Congress <64, 2013, Beijing>}, isbn = {978-1-62993-909-4}, pages = {1340 -- 1350}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldFeldmannEspeetal.2012, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Feldmann, Marco and Espe, Clemens and Plescher, Engelbert and Konstantinidis, K. and Forstner, R.}, title = {Enceladus explorer - A maneuverable subsurface probe for autonomous navigation through deep ice}, series = {63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012; Naples; Italy; 1 October 2012 through 5 October 2012. (Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC ; 3)}, booktitle = {63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012; Naples; Italy; 1 October 2012 through 5 October 2012. (Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC ; 3)}, publisher = {Curran}, address = {Red Hook, NY}, organization = {International Astronautical Congress <63, 2012, Napoli>}, isbn = {978-1-62276-979-7}, pages = {1756 -- 1766}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HallmannHeideckerSchlottereretal.2016, author = {Hallmann, Marcus and Heidecker, Ansgar and Schlotterer, Markus and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {GTOC8: results and methods of team 15 DLR}, series = {26th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, Napa, CA}, booktitle = {26th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, Napa, CA}, year = {2016}, abstract = {This paper describes the results and methods used during the 8th Global Trajectory Optimization Competition (GTOC) of the DLR team. Trajectory optimization is crucial for most of the space missions and usually can be formulated as a global optimization problem. A lot of research has been done to different type of mission problems. The most demanding ones are low thrust transfers with e.g. gravity assist sequences. In that case the optimal control problem is combined with an integer problem. In most of the GTOCs we apply a filtering of the problem based on domain knowledge.}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Optimization of very-low-thrust trajectories using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {Acta Astronautica}, volume = {57}, journal = {Acta Astronautica}, number = {2-8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam [u.a.]}, isbn = {1879-2030}, pages = {175 -- 185}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Searching optimal interplanetary trajectories for low-thrust spacecraft is usually a difficult and time-consuming task that involves much experience and expert knowledge in astrodynamics and optimal control theory. This is because the convergence behavior of traditional local optimizers, which are based on numerical optimal control methods, depends on an adequate initial guess, which is often hard to find, especially for very-low-thrust trajectories that necessitate many revolutions around the sun. The obtained solutions are typically close to the initial guess that is rarely close to the (unknown) global optimum. Within this paper, trajectory optimization problems are attacked from the perspective of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Inspired by natural archetypes, a smart global method for low-thrust trajectory optimization is proposed that fuses artificial neural networks and evolutionary algorithms into so-called evolutionary neurocontrollers. This novel method runs without an initial guess and does not require the attendance of an expert in astrodynamics and optimal control theory. This paper details how evolutionary neurocontrol works and how it could be implemented. The performance of the method is assessed for three different interplanetary missions with a thrust to mass ratio <0.15mN/kg (solar sail and nuclear electric).}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SpurmannOhndorfDachwaldetal.2009, author = {Spurmann, J{\"o}rn and Ohndorf, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and L{\"o}b, Horst and Schartner, Karl-Heinz}, title = {Interplanetary trajectory optimization for a sep mission to Saturn}, series = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009}, booktitle = {60th International Astronautical Congress 2009}, isbn = {9781615679089}, pages = {5234 -- 5248}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The recently proposed NASA and ESA missions to Saturn and Jupiter pose difficult tasks to mission designers because chemical propulsion scenarios are not capable of transferring heavy spacecraft into the outer solar system without the use of gravity assists. Thus our developed mission scenario based on the joint NASA/ESA Titan Saturn System Mission baselines solar electric propulsion to improve mission flexibility and transfer time. For the calculation of near-globally optimal low-thrust trajectories, we have used a method called Evolutionary Neurocontrol, which is implemented in the low-thrust trajectory optimization software InTrance. The studied solar electric propulsion scenario covers trajectory optimization of the interplanetary transfer including variations of the spacecraft's thrust level, the thrust unit's specific impulse and the solar power generator power level. Additionally developed software extensions enabled trajectory optimization with launcher-provided hyperbolic excess energy, a complex solar power generator model and a variable specific impulse ion engine model. For the investigated mission scenario, Evolutionary Neurocontrol yields good optimization results, which also hold valid for the more elaborate spacecraft models. Compared to Cassini/Huygens, the best found solutions have faster transfer times and a higher mission flexibility in general.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldCarnelliVasile2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Carnelli, I. and Vasile, M.}, title = {Optimizing low-thrust gravity assist interplanetary trajectories using evolutionary neurocontrollers / I. Carnelli ; B. Dachwald ; M. Vasile}, series = {IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, 2007 : CEC 2007 ; 25 - 28 September 2007, Singapore}, journal = {IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, 2007 : CEC 2007 ; 25 - 28 September 2007, Singapore}, publisher = {IEEE Service Center}, address = {Piscataway, NJ}, isbn = {978-1-424-41339-3}, pages = {965 -- 972}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald1996, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Entwicklung sicherer und wartbarer Software f{\"u}r den Eurofighter}, series = {Soldat und Technik : Strategie und Technik, Sicherheit (1996)}, journal = {Soldat und Technik : Strategie und Technik, Sicherheit (1996)}, isbn = {0038-0989}, pages = {663 -- 668}, year = {1996}, language = {de} } @incollection{MacdonaldMcGrathAppourchauxetal.2014, author = {Macdonald, Malcolm and McGrath, C. and Appourchaux, T. and Dachwald, Bernd and Finsterle, W. and Gizon, L. and Liewer, P. C. and McInnes, Colin R. and Mengali, G. and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Sekii, T. and Solanki, S. K. and Velli, M. and Wimmer-Schweingruber, R. F. and Spietz, Peter and Reinhard, Ruedeger}, title = {Gossamer roadmap technology reference study for a solar polar mission}, series = {Advances in solar sailing}, booktitle = {Advances in solar sailing}, editor = {Macdonald, Malcolm}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, isbn = {978-3-642-34906-5}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-34907-2_17}, pages = {243 -- 257}, year = {2014}, abstract = {A technology reference study for a solar polar mission is presented. The study uses novel analytical methods to quantify the mission design space including the required sail performance to achieve a given solar polar observation angle within a given timeframe and thus to derive mass allocations for the remaining spacecraft sub-systems, that is excluding the solar sail sub-system. A parametric, bottom-up, system mass budget analysis is then used to establish the required sail technology to deliver a range of science payloads, and to establish where such payloads can be delivered to within a given timeframe. It is found that a solar polar mission requires a solar sail of side-length 100-125 m to deliver a 'sufficient value' minimum science payload, and that a 2.5 μm sail film substrate is typically required, however the design is much less sensitive to the boom specific mass.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMcDonaldMcInnesetal.2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and McDonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R. and Mengali, Giovanni}, title = {Impact of Optical Degradation on Solar Sail Mission Performance}, series = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 4}, journal = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 4}, isbn = {0022-4650}, pages = {740 -- 749}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{OhndorfDachwaldSeboldtetal.2011, author = {Ohndorf, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Schartner, Karl-Heinz}, title = {Flight times to the heliopause using a combination of solar and radioisotope electric propulsion}, series = {32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, booktitle = {32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We investigate the interplanetary flight of a low-thrust space probe to the heliopause,located at a distance of about 200 AU from the Sun. Our goal was to reach this distance within the 25 years postulated by ESA for such a mission (which is less ambitious than the 15-year goal set by NASA). Contrary to solar sail concepts and combinations of allistic and electrically propelled flight legs, we have investigated whether the set flight time limit could also be kept with a combination of solar-electric propulsion and a second, RTG-powered upper stage. The used ion engine type was the RIT-22 for the first stage and the RIT-10 for the second stage. Trajectory optimization was carried out with the low-thrust optimization program InTrance, which implements the method of Evolutionary Neurocontrol,using Artificial Neural Networks for spacecraft steering and Evolutionary Algorithms to optimize the Neural Networks' parameter set. Based on a parameter space study, in which the number of thrust units, the unit's specific impulse, and the relative size of the solar power generator were varied, we have chosen one configuration as reference. The transfer time of this reference configuration was 29.6 years and the fastest one, which is technically more challenging, still required 28.3 years. As all flight times of this parameter study were longer than 25 years, we further shortened the transfer time by applying a launcher-provided hyperbolic excess energy up to 49 km2/s2. The resulting minimal flight time for the reference configuration was then 27.8 years. The following, more precise optimization to a launch with the European Ariane 5 ECA rocket reduced the transfer time to 27.5 years. This is the fastest mission design of our study that is flexible enough to allow a launch every year. The inclusion of a fly-by at Jupiter finally resulted in a flight time of 23.8 years,which is below the set transfer-time limit. However, compared to the 27.5-year transfer,this mission design has a significantly reduced launch window and mission flexibility if the escape direction is restricted to the heliosphere's "nose".}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{PirovanoSeefeldtDachwaldetal.2015, author = {Pirovano, Laura and Seefeldt, Patric and Dachwald, Bernd and Noomen, Ron}, title = {Attitude and Orbital Dynamics Modeling for an Uncontrolled Solar-Sail Experiment in Low-Earth Orbit}, series = {25th International Symposium on Spaceflight Dynamics, 2015, Munich, Germany}, booktitle = {25th International Symposium on Spaceflight Dynamics, 2015, Munich, Germany}, pages = {15 S.}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldUlamecPostbergetal.2020, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Ulamec, Stephan and Postberg, Frank and Sohl, Frank and Vera, Jean-Pierre de and Christoph, Waldmann and Lorenz, Ralph D. and Hellard, Hugo and Biele, Jens and Rettberg, Petra}, title = {Key technologies and instrumentation for subsurface exploration of ocean worlds}, series = {Space Science Reviews}, volume = {216}, journal = {Space Science Reviews}, number = {Art. 83}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1572-9672}, doi = {10.1007/s11214-020-00707-5}, pages = {45}, year = {2020}, abstract = {In this chapter, the key technologies and the instrumentation required for the subsurface exploration of ocean worlds are discussed. The focus is laid on Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus because they have the highest potential for such missions in the near future. The exploration of their oceans requires landing on the surface, penetrating the thick ice shell with an ice-penetrating probe, and probably diving with an underwater vehicle through dozens of kilometers of water to the ocean floor, to have the chance to find life, if it exists. Technologically, such missions are extremely challenging. The required key technologies include power generation, communications, pressure resistance, radiation hardness, corrosion protection, navigation, miniaturization, autonomy, and sterilization and cleaning. Simpler mission concepts involve impactors and penetrators or - in the case of Enceladus - plume-fly-through missions.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{JeanPierrePBaqueBillietal.2018, author = {Jean-Pierre P., de Vera and Baque, Mickael and Billi, Daniela and B{\"o}ttger, Ute and Bulat, Sergey and Czupalla, Markus and Dachwald, Bernd and de la Torre, Rosa and Elsaesser, Andreas and Foucher, Fr{\´e}d{\´e}ric and Korsitzky, Hartmut and Kozyrovska, Natalia and L{\"a}ufer, Andreas and Moeller, Ralf and Olsson-Francis, Karen and Onofri, Silvano and Sommer, Stefan and Wagner, Dirk and Westall, Frances}, title = {The search for life on Mars and in the Solar System - strategies, logistics and infrastructures}, series = {69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)}, booktitle = {69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The question "Are we alone in the Universe?" is perhaps the most fundamental one that affects mankind. How can we address the search for life in our Solar System? Mars, Enceladus and Europa are the focus of the search for life outside the terrestrial biosphere. While it is more likely to find remnants of life (fossils of extinct life) on Mars because of its past short time window of the surface habitability, it is probably more likely to find traces of extant life on the icy moons and ocean worlds of Jupiter and Saturn. Nevertheless, even on Mars there could still be a chance to find extant life in niches near to the surface or in just discovered subglacial lakes beneath the South Pole ice cap. Here, the different approaches for the detection of traces of life in the form of biosignatures including pre-biotic molecules will be presented. We will outline the required infrastructure for this enterprise and give examples of future mission concepts to investigate the presence of life on other planets and moons. Finally, we will provide suggestions on methods, techniques, operations and strategies for preparation and realization of future life detection missions.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldWi2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Wi, Bong}, title = {Solar Sail Kinetic Energy Impactor Trajectory Optimization for an Asteroid-Deflection Mission}, series = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 4}, journal = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 4}, isbn = {0022-4650}, pages = {755 -- 764}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Minimum Transfer Times for Nonperfectly Reflecting Solar Sailcraft}, series = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 41 (2004), H. 4}, journal = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 41 (2004), H. 4}, isbn = {0022-4650}, pages = {693 -- 695}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Optimization of Interplanetary Solar Sailcraft Trajectories Using Evolutionary Neurocontrol}, series = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 27 (2004), H. 1}, journal = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 27 (2004), H. 1}, isbn = {0162-3192}, pages = {66 -- 72}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldOhndorfGill2009, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, A. and Gill, E.}, title = {Optimization of low-thrust Earth-Moon transfers using evolutionary neurocontrol / Ohndorf, A. ; Dachwald, B. ; Gill, E.}, series = {IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, 2009. CEC '09.}, journal = {IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, 2009. CEC '09.}, isbn = {978-1-4244-2958-5}, pages = {358 -- 364}, year = {2009}, language = {en} } @article{ScholzRomagnoliDachwaldetal.2011, author = {Scholz, Christina and Romagnoli, Daniele and Dachwald, Bernd and Theil, Stephan}, title = {Performance analysis of an attitude control system for solar sails using sliding masses}, series = {Advances in Space Research}, volume = {48}, journal = {Advances in Space Research}, number = {11}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0273-1177}, pages = {1822 -- 1835}, year = {2011}, language = {en} } @article{LeipoldFichtnerHeberetal.2006, author = {Leipold, M. and Fichtner, H. and Heber, B. and Groepper, P. and Lascar, S. and Burger, F. and Eiden, M. and Niederstadt, T. and Sickinger, C. and Herbeck, L. and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Heliopause Explorer - A Sailcraft Mission to the Outer Boundaries of the Solar System}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 59 (2006), H. 8-11}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 59 (2006), H. 8-11}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {786 -- 796}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldTuryshevDittusetal.2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Turyshev, Slava G. and Dittus, H. and Shao, M. [u.a.]}, title = {Fundamental Physics with the Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity / S.G. Turyshev ; H. Dittus ; M. Shao ... B.Dachwald ...}, series = {Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium "Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020" : 19 - 21 April 2005, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / European Space Agency. [Comp. by: F. Favata ...] . - (ESA SP ; 588)}, journal = {Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium "Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020" : 19 - 21 April 2005, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / European Space Agency. [Comp. by: F. Favata ...] . - (ESA SP ; 588)}, publisher = {ESA Publ. Div.}, address = {Noordwijk}, isbn = {9290928999}, pages = {8 -- 11}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{DittusTuryshevDachwaldetal.2005, author = {Dittus, H. and Turyshev, S. G. and Dachwald, Bernd and Blome, Hans-Joachim}, title = {A Mission to Explore the Pioneer Anomaly}, series = {Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium "Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020" : 19 - 21 April 2005, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / European Space Agency. [Comp. by: F. Favata ...] . - (ESA SP ; 588)}, journal = {Proceedings of the 39th ESLAB Symposium "Trends in Space Science and Cosmic Vision 2020" : 19 - 21 April 2005, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / European Space Agency. [Comp. by: F. Favata ...] . - (ESA SP ; 588)}, publisher = {ESA Publ. Div.}, address = {Noordwijk}, isbn = {9290928999}, pages = {3 -- 10}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMacDonaldMcInnes2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and MacDonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R.}, title = {Heliocentric Solar Sail Orbit Transfers with Locally Optimal Control Laws / Malcolm Macdonald ; Colin McInnes ; Bernd Dachwald}, series = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 1}, journal = {Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 44 (2007), H. 1}, isbn = {0022-4650}, pages = {273 -- 276}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Solar Sails for Near- and Medium-Term Scientific Deep Space Missions / W. Sebolt ; B. Dachwald}, series = {In-space propulsion : edited book of proceedings of the 10-IWCP, the 10th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion held in Lerici, La Spezia, Italy, 21-25 September 2003 / [ed.: Luigi T. DeLuca]}, journal = {In-space propulsion : edited book of proceedings of the 10-IWCP, the 10th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion held in Lerici, La Spezia, Italy, 21-25 September 2003 / [ed.: Luigi T. DeLuca]}, publisher = {SP Lab, Politecnico di Milano}, address = {Milano}, pages = {getr. Z{\"a}hlung . Ill.}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @misc{FeldmannFranckeEspeetal.2022, author = {Feldmann, Marco and Francke, Gero and Espe, Clemes and Chen, Qian and Baader, Fabian and Boxberg, Marc S. and Sustrate, Anna-Marie and Kowalski, Julia and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Performance data of an ice-melting probe from field tests in two different ice environments}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.6094866}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This dataset was acquired at field tests of the steerable ice-melting probe "EnEx-IceMole" (Dachwald et al., 2014). A field test in summer 2014 was used to test the melting probe's system, before the probe was shipped to Antarctica, where, in international cooperation with the MIDGE project, the objective of a sampling mission in the southern hemisphere summer 2014/2015 was to return a clean englacial sample from the subglacial brine reservoir supplying the Blood Falls at Taylor Glacier (Badgeley et al., 2017, German et al., 2021). The standardized log-files generated by the IceMole during melting operation include more than 100 operational parameters, housekeeping information, and error states, which are reported to the base station in intervals of 4 s. Occasional packet loss in data transmission resulted in a sparse number of increased sampling intervals, which where compensated for by linear interpolation during post processing. The presented dataset is based on a subset of this data: The penetration distance is calculated based on the ice screw drive encoder signal, providing the rate of rotation, and the screw's thread pitch. The melting speed is calculated from the same data, assuming the rate of rotation to be constant over one sampling interval. The contact force is calculated from the longitudinal screw force, which es measured by strain gauges. The used heating power is calculated from binary states of all heating elements, which can only be either switched on or off. Temperatures are measured at each heating element and averaged for three zones (melting head, side-wall heaters and back-plate heaters).}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldCarnelliVasile2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Carnelli, I. and Vasile, M.}, title = {Evolutionary Neurocontrol as a Novel Method for Low-Thrust Gravity Assist Trajectory Optimization / I. Carnelli ; B. Dachwald ; M. Vasile}, series = {Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (Selected papers) : Kanazawa, [June 4 through June 11, 2006, at Kanazawa-shi Kanko Kaikan in Kanazawa city] / [Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Kohtaro Matsumoto [ed.-in-chief]}, journal = {Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (Selected papers) : Kanazawa, [June 4 through June 11, 2006, at Kanazawa-shi Kanko Kaikan in Kanazawa city] / [Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Kohtaro Matsumoto [ed.-in-chief]}, publisher = {JSASS}, address = {Tokyo}, isbn = {4-99005-002-9}, pages = {569 -- 574}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldCarnelliVasile2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Carnelli, I. and Vasile, M.}, title = {Low-Thrust Gravity Assist Trajectory Optimization Using Evolutionary Neurocontrollers / I. Carnelli ; B. Dachwald ; M. Vasile ...}, series = {Astrodynamics 2005 : proceedings of the AAS/AIAA astrodynamics conference held August 7 - 11, 2005, South Lake Tahoe, California / ed. by Bobby G. Williams. - Pt. 3. - (Advances in the astronautical sciences ; 123,3)}, journal = {Astrodynamics 2005 : proceedings of the AAS/AIAA astrodynamics conference held August 7 - 11, 2005, South Lake Tahoe, California / ed. by Bobby G. Williams. - Pt. 3. - (Advances in the astronautical sciences ; 123,3)}, publisher = {Univelt}, address = {San Diego, Calif.}, isbn = {0-87703-527-X}, pages = {1911 -- 1928}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldLeipoldFichtner2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Leipold, M. and Fichtner, H.}, title = {Heliopause Explorer - A Sailcraft Mission to the Outer Boundaries of the Solar System / M. Leipold ; H. Fichtner ; B. Heber ... B. Dachwald ...}, series = {Proceedings of the Fifth IAA International Conference on Low Cost Planetary Missions : 24 - 26 September 2003, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / [comp. by R. A. Harris]}, journal = {Proceedings of the Fifth IAA International Conference on Low Cost Planetary Missions : 24 - 26 September 2003, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands / [comp. by R. A. Harris]}, publisher = {ESA}, address = {Noordwijk}, isbn = {92-9092-853-0}, pages = {367 -- 375}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Interplanetary Mission Analysis for Non-Perfectly Reflecting Solar Sailcraft Using Evolutionary Neurocontrol}, series = {Astrodynamics 2003 : proceedings of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference held August 3 - 7, 2003, Big Sky, Montana / ed. by Jean de Lafontaine. - Pt. 2. - (Advances in the astronautical sciences ; 116,2)}, journal = {Astrodynamics 2003 : proceedings of the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference held August 3 - 7, 2003, Big Sky, Montana / ed. by Jean de Lafontaine. - Pt. 2. - (Advances in the astronautical sciences ; 116,2)}, publisher = {Univelt}, address = {San Diego, Calif.}, isbn = {0-87703-509-1}, pages = {1247 -- 1262}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2002, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Optimization of Interplanetary Rendezvous Trajectories for Solar Sailcraft Using a Neurocontroller}, series = {A collection of technical papers / AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference : Monterey, California, 5 - 8 August 2002. - Vol. 2}, journal = {A collection of technical papers / AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference : Monterey, California, 5 - 8 August 2002. - Vol. 2}, publisher = {American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, isbn = {1-56347-549-9}, pages = {1263 -- 1270}, year = {2002}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldKahleWie2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Kahle, Ralph and Wie, Bong}, title = {Solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) mission design tradeoffs for impacting and deflecting asteroid 99942 Apophis}, series = {AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit}, booktitle = {AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit}, doi = {10.2514/6.2006-6178}, pages = {1 -- 20}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis provides a typical example for the evolution of asteroid orbits that lead to Earth-impacts after a close Earth-encounter that results in a resonant return. Apophis will have a close Earth-encounter in 2029 with potential very close subsequent Earth-encounters (or even an impact) in 2036 or later, depending on whether it passes through one of several so-called gravitational keyholes during its 2029-encounter. Several pre-2029-deflection scenarios to prevent Apophis from doing this have been investigated so far. Because the keyholes are less than 1 km in size, a pre-2029 kinetic impact is clearly the best option because it requires only a small change in Apophis' orbit to nudge it out of a keyhole. A single solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) spacecraft that impacts Apophis from a retrograde trajectory with a very high relative velocity (75-80 km/s) during one of its perihelion passages at about 0.75 AU would be a feasible option to do this. The spacecraft consists of a 160 m x 160 m, 168 kg solar sail assembly and a 150 kg impactor. Although conventional spacecraft can also achieve the required minimum deflection of 1 km for this approx. 320 m-sized object from a prograde trajectory, our solar sail KEI concept also allows the deflection of larger objects. In this paper, we also show that, even after Apophis has flown through one of the gravitational keyholes in 2029, solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) spacecraft are still a feasible option to prevent Apophis from impacting the Earth, but many KEIs would be required for consecutive impacts to increase the total Earth-miss distance to a safe value. In this paper, we elaborate potential pre- and post-2029 KEI impact scenarios for a launch in 2020, and investigate tradeoffs between different mission parameters.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BaaderKellerLehmannetal.2019, author = {Baader, Fabian and Keller, Denis and Lehmann, Raphael and Gerber, Lukas and Reiswich, Martin and Dachwald, Bernd and F{\"o}rstner, Roger}, title = {Operating melting probes for ice penetration under sublimation conditions and in reduced gravity on a sounding rocket}, series = {Proceedings of the 24th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and related Research}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 24th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon Programmes and related Research}, issn = {0379-6566}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BorggraefeDachwald2010, author = {Borggr{\"a}fe, Andreas and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Mission performance evaluation for solar sails using a refined SRP force model with variable optical coefficients}, series = {2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, booktitle = {2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing}, pages = {1 -- 6}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Solar sails provide ignificant advantages over other low-thrust propulsion systems because they produce thrust by the momentum exchange from solar radiation pressure (SRP) and thus do not consume any propellant.The force exerted on a very thin sail foil basically depends on the light incidence angle. Several analytical SRP force models that describe the SRP force acting on the sail have been established since the 1970s. All the widely used models use constant optical force coefficients of the reflecting sail material. In 2006,MENGALI et al. proposed a refined SRP force model that takes into account the dependancy of the force coefficients on the light incident angle,the sail's distance from the sun (and thus the sail emperature) and the surface roughness of the sail material [1]. In this paper, the refined SRP force model is compared to the previous ones in order to identify the potential impact of the new model on the predicted capabilities of solar sails in performing low-cost interplanetary space missions. All force models have been implemented within InTrance, a global low-thrust trajectory optimization software utilizing evolutionary neurocontrol [2]. Two interplanetary rendezvous missions, to Mercury and the near-Earth asteroid 1996FG3, are investigated. Two solar sail performances in terms of characteristic acceleration are examined for both scenarios, 0.2 mm/s2 and 0.5 mm/s2, termed "low" and "medium" sail performance. In case of the refined SRP model, three different values of surface roughness are chosen, h = 0 nm, 10 nm and 25 nm. The results show that the refined SRP force model yields shorter transfer times than the standard model.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchoutetensDachwaldHeiligers2021, author = {Schoutetens, Frederic and Dachwald, Bernd and Heiligers, Jeannette}, title = {Optimisation of photon-sail trajectories in the alpha-centauri system using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {8th ICATT 2021}, booktitle = {8th ICATT 2021}, pages = {1 -- 15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {With the increased interest for interstellar exploration after the discovery of exoplanets and the proposal by Breakthrough Starshot, this paper investigates the optimisation of photon-sail trajectories in Alpha Centauri. The prime objective is to find the optimal steering strategy for a photonic sail to get captured around one of the stars after a minimum-time transfer from Earth. By extending the idea of the Breakthrough Starshot project with a deceleration phase upon arrival, the mission's scientific yield will be increased. As a secondary objective, transfer trajectories between the stars and orbit-raising manoeuvres to explore the habitable zones of the stars are investigated. All trajectories are optimised for minimum time of flight using the trajectory optimisation software InTrance. Depending on the sail technology, interstellar travel times of 77.6-18,790 years can be achieved, which presents an average improvement of 30\% with respect to previous work. Still, significant technological development is required to reach and be captured in the Alpha-Centauri system in less than a century. Therefore, a fly-through mission arguably remains the only option for a first exploratory mission to Alpha Centauri, but the enticing results obtained in this work provide perspective for future long-residence missions to our closest neighbouring star system.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SeefeldtBauerDachwaldetal.2015, author = {Seefeldt, Patric and Bauer, Waldemar and Dachwald, Bernd and Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Straubel, Marco and Sznajder, Maciej and T{\´o}th, Norbert and Zander, Martin E.}, title = {Large lightweight deployable structures for planetary defence: solar sail propulsion, solar concentrator payloads, large-scale photovoltaic power}, series = {4th IAA Planetary Defense Conference - PDC 2015, 13-17 April 2015, Frascati, Roma, Italy}, booktitle = {4th IAA Planetary Defense Conference - PDC 2015, 13-17 April 2015, Frascati, Roma, Italy}, pages = {24}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LoebSchartnerDachwaldetal.2011, author = {Loeb, Horst W. and Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, Andreas and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {An Interstellar - Heliopause mission using a combination of solar/radioisotope electric propulsion}, series = {Presented at the 32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, booktitle = {Presented at the 32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference}, pages = {1 -- 7}, year = {2011}, abstract = {There is common agreement within the scientific community that in order to understand our local galactic environment it will be necessary to send a spacecraft into the region beyond the solar wind termination shock. Considering distances of 200 AU for a new mission, one needs a spacecraft travelling at a speed of close to 10 AU/yr in order to keep the mission duration in the range of less than 25 yrs, a transfer time postulated by ESA.Two propulsion options for the mission have been proposed and discussed so far: the solar sail propulsion and the ballistic/radioisotope electric propulsion. As a further alternative, we here investigate a combination of solar-electric propulsion and radioisotope-electric propulsion. The solar-electric propulsion stage consists of six 22 cm diameter "RIT-22"ion thrusters working with a high specific impulse of 7377 s corresponding to a positive grid voltage of 5 kV. Solar power of 53 kW BOM is provided by a light-weight solar array. The REP-stage consists of four space-proven 10 cm diameter "RIT-10" ion thrusters that will be operating one after the other for 9 yrs in total. Four advanced radioisotope generators provide 648 W at BOM. The scientific instrument package is oriented at earlier studies. For its mass and electric power requirement 35 kg and 35 W are assessed, respectively. Optimized trajectory calculations, treated in a separate contribution, are based on our "InTrance" method.The program yields a burn out of the REP stage in a distance of 79.6 AU for a usage of 154 kg of Xe propellant. With a C3 = 45,1 (km/s)2 a heliocentric probe velocity of 10 AU/yr is reached at this distance, provided a close Jupiter gravity assist adds a velocity increment of 2.7 AU/yr. A transfer time of 23.8 yrs results for this scenario requiring about 450 kg Xe for the SEP stage, jettisoned at 3 AU. We interpret the SEP/REP propulsion as a competing alternative to solar sail and ballistic/REP propulsion. Omiting a Jupiter fly-by even allows more launch flexibility, leaving the mission duration in the range of the ESA specification.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldtLaemmerzahl2008, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and L{\"a}mmerzahl, W.}, title = {Solar Sail Propulsion: An Enabling Technology for Fundamental Physics Missions}, series = {Lasers, Clocks and Drag Free Control : Exploration of Relativistic Gravity in Space / by Hansj{\"o}rg Dittus ..., eds. - ( Astrophysics and Space Science Library ; 349)}, journal = {Lasers, Clocks and Drag Free Control : Exploration of Relativistic Gravity in Space / by Hansj{\"o}rg Dittus ..., eds. - ( Astrophysics and Space Science Library ; 349)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin [u.a.]}, isbn = {978-3-540-34376-9}, pages = {379 -- 398}, year = {2008}, language = {en} }