@article{DachwaldSeboldt2002, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, W.}, 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{DachwaldSeboldtHaeusler2002, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and H{\"a}usler, Bernd}, title = {Performance requirements for near-term interplanetary solar sailcraft missions}, series = {6th International AAAF Symposium on Space Propulsion: Propulsion for Space Transportation of the XXIst Century}, booktitle = {6th International AAAF Symposium on Space Propulsion: Propulsion for Space Transportation of the XXIst Century}, pages = {9 Seiten}, year = {2002}, abstract = {Solar sailcraft provide a wide range of opportunities for high-energy low-cost missions. To date, most mission studies require a rather demanding performance that will not be realized by solar sailcraft of the first generation. However, even with solar sailcraft of moderate performance, scientifically relevant missions are feasible. This is demonstrated with a Near Earth Asteroid sample return mission and various planetary rendezvous missions.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldtRichter2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, W. and Richter, L.}, title = {Multiple Rendezvous and Sample Return Missions to Near-Earth Asteroids Using Solar Sailcraft}, 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 = {351 -- 358}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Verwendung eines neuronalen Reglers und evolution{\"a}rer Algorithmen zur Berechnung optimaler interplanetarer Sonnenseglerbahnen}, series = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2003 : M{\"u}nchen, 17. bis 20. November 2003, Motto: 100 Jahre Motorflug - 112 Jahre Menschenflug: Visionen gestalten Zukunft / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. - Bd. 1. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt)}, journal = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2003 : M{\"u}nchen, 17. bis 20. November 2003, Motto: 100 Jahre Motorflug - 112 Jahre Menschenflug: Visionen gestalten Zukunft / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. - Bd. 1. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt)}, address = {Bonn}, pages = {211 -- 218}, year = {2003}, language = {de} } @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{DachwaldSeboldt2003, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {Solar sailcraft of the first generation technology development / Seboldt, Wolfgang ; Dachwald, Bernd}, year = {2003}, 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} } @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} } @inproceedings{SeboldtDachwald2003, author = {Seboldt, Wolfgang and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Solar sails for near-term advanced scientific deep space missions}, series = {Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion}, pages = {14 Seiten}, year = {2003}, abstract = {Solar sails are propelled in space by reflecting solar photons off large mirroring surfaces, thereby transforming the momentum of the photons into a propulsive force. This innovative concept for low-thrust space propulsion works without any propellant and thus provides a wide range of opportunities for highenergy low-cost missions. Offering an efficient way of propulsion, solar sailcraft could close a gap in transportation options for highly demanding exploration missions within our solar system and even beyond. On December 17th, 1999, a significant step was made towards the realization of this technology: a lightweight solar sail structure with an area of 20 m × 20 m was successfully deployed on ground in a large facility at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) at Cologne. The deployment from a package of 60 cm × 60 cm × 65 cm with a total mass of less than 35 kg was achieved using four extremely light-weight carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) booms with a specific mass of 100 g/m. The paper briefly reviews the basic principles of solar sails as well as the technical concept and its realization in the ground demonstration experiment, performed in close cooperation between DLR and ESA. Next possible steps are outlined. They could comprise the in-orbit demonstration of the sail deployment on the upper stage of a low-cost rocket and the verification of the propulsion concept by an autonomous and free flying solar sail in the frame of a scientific mission. It is expected that the present design could be extended to sail sizes of about (40 m)2 up to even (70 m)2 without significant mass penalty. With these areas, the maximum achievable thrust at 1 AU would range between 10 and 40 mN - comparable to some electric thrusters. Such prototype sails with a mass between 50 and 150 kg plus a micro-spacecraft of 50 to 250 kg would have a maximum acceleration in the order of 0.1 mm/s2 at 1 AU, corresponding to a maximum ∆V-capability of about 3 km/s per year. Two near/medium-term mission examples to a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) will be discussed: a rendezvous mission and a sample return mission.}, language = {en} } @article{BlomeSeboldtDachwaldetal.2004, author = {Blome, Hans-Joachim and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Dachwald, Bernd and Richter, Lutz}, title = {Proposal for an integrated European Space Exploration Study}, series = {Space Debris and Space Traffic Management Symposium 2004 : proceedings of the International Academy of Astronautics Space Debris and Space Traffic Management Symposium, held in conjunction with the 55th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), October 4 - 8, 2004, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada / ed. by Joerg Bendisch}, journal = {Space Debris and Space Traffic Management Symposium 2004 : proceedings of the International Academy of Astronautics Space Debris and Space Traffic Management Symposium, held in conjunction with the 55th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), October 4 - 8, 2004, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada / ed. by Joerg Bendisch}, publisher = {Univelt}, address = {San Diego, Calif.}, isbn = {0-87703-523-7}, pages = {XI, 432 S. : Ill., graph. Darst.}, year = {2004}, 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{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{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization and Interplanetary Mission Analysis Using Evolutionary Neurocontrol}, series = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2004 : Dresden, 20. bis 23. September 2004, Motto: Luft- und Raumfahrt - Br{\"u}cke f{\"u}r eine wissensbasierte Gesellschaft / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. - Bd. 2. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt)}, journal = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2004 : Dresden, 20. bis 23. September 2004, Motto: Luft- und Raumfahrt - Br{\"u}cke f{\"u}r eine wissensbasierte Gesellschaft / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. - Bd. 2. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt)}, address = {Bonn}, pages = {917 -- 926}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Evolutionary Neurocontrol: A Smart Method for Global Optimization of Low-Thrust Trajectories}, series = {22nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference and Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : 16 - 19 August 2004, Providence, Rhode Island / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; 2004,14-15)}, journal = {22nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference and Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : 16 - 19 August 2004, Providence, Rhode Island / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; 2004,14-15)}, publisher = {American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, pages = {2 CD-ROMs}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Optimal Solar Sail Trajectories for Missions to the Outer Solar System}, series = {22nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference and Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : 16 - 19 August 2004, Providence, Rhode Island / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; 2004,14-15)}, journal = {22nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference and Exhibit - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : 16 - 19 August 2004, Providence, Rhode Island / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; 2004,14-15)}, publisher = {American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, pages = {2 CD-ROMs}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SeboldtBlomeDachwaldetal.2004, author = {Seboldt, Wolfgang and Blome, Hans-Joachim and Dachwald, Bernd and Richter, Lutz}, title = {Proposal for an integrated European space exploration strategy}, series = {55th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law}, booktitle = {55th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Recently, in his vision for space exploration, US president Bush announced to extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon as early as 2015 in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations. In Europe, an exploration program, termed AURORA, was established by ESA in 2001 - funded on a voluntary basis by ESA member states - with a clear focus on Mars and the ultimate goal of landing humans on Mars around 2030 in international cooperation. In 2003, a Human Spaceflight Vision Group was appointed by ESA with the task to develop a vision for the role of human spaceflight during the next quarter of the century. The resulting vision focused on a European-led lunar exploration initiative as part of a multi-decade, international effort to strengthen European identity and economy. After a review of the situation in Europe concerning space exploration, the paper outlines an approach for a consistent positioning of exploration within the existing European space programs, identifies destinations, and develops corresponding scenarios for an integrated strategy, starting with robotic missions to the Moon, Mars, and near-Earth asteroids. The interests of the European planetary in-situ science community, which recently met at DLR Cologne, are considered. Potential robotic lunar missions comprise polar landings to search for frozen volatiles and a sample return. For Mars, the implementation of a modest robotic landing mission in 2009 to demonstrate the capability for landing and prepare more ambitious and complex missions is discussed. For near-Earth asteroid exploration, a low-cost in-situ technology demonstration mission could yield important results. All proposed scenarios offer excellent science and could therefore create synergies between ESA's mandatory and optional programs in the area of planetary science and exploration. The paper intents to stimulate the European discussion on space exploration and reflects the personal view of the authors.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Dachwald2004, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Solar sail performance requirements for missions to the outer solar system and beyond}, series = {55th International Astronautical Congress 2004}, booktitle = {55th International Astronautical Congress 2004}, doi = {10.2514/6.IAC-04-S.P.11}, pages = {1 -- 9}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Solar sails enable missions to the outer solar system and beyond, although the solar radiation pressure decreases with the square of solar distance. For such missions, the solar sail may gain a large amount of energy by first making one or more close approaches to the sun. Within this paper, optimal trajectories for solar sail missions to the outer planets and into near interstellar space (200 AU) are presented. Thereby, it is shown that even near/medium-term solar sails with relatively moderate performance allow reasonable transfer times to the boundaries of the solar system.}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, W.}, 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} } @article{Dachwald2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Optimization of very-low-thrust trajectories using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 57 (2005), H. 2-8}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 57 (2005), H. 2-8}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {175 -- 185}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{Dachwald2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Optimal Solar Sail Trajectories for Missions to the Outer Solar System}, series = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 28 (2005), H. 6}, journal = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 28 (2005), H. 6}, isbn = {0162-3192}, pages = {1187 -- 1193}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldSeboldtMacdonaldetal.2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Macdonald, Malcolm and Mengali, Giovanni and Quatra, Alessandro A. and McInnes, Colin R. and Rios-Reyes, Leonel and Scheerers, Daniel J. and Wie, Bong and G{\"o}rlich, Marianne and Lura, Franz and Diedrich, Benjamin and Baturkin, Volodymyr and Coverstone, Victoria L. and Leipold, Manfred and Garbe, Gregory P.}, title = {Potential Solar Sail Degradation Effects on Trajectory and Attitude Control}, series = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : [San Francisco, California, 15 - 18 August 2005 ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [10.]2005,16-17)}, journal = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : [San Francisco, California, 15 - 18 August 2005 ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [10.]2005,16-17)}, publisher = {American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, isbn = {1-56347-765-3}, pages = {2 CD-ROMs}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldWie2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Wie, Bong}, title = {Solar Sail Trajectory Optimization for Intercepting, Impacting, and Deflecting Near-Earth Asteroids}, series = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : [San Francisco, California, 15 - 18 August 2005 ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [10.]2005,16-17)}, journal = {AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference and Exhibit - AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit : [San Francisco, California, 15 - 18 August 2005 ; papers]. - (AIAA meeting papers on disc ; [10.]2005,16-17)}, publisher = {American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}, address = {Reston, Va.}, isbn = {1-56347-765-3}, pages = {2 CD-ROMs}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldOhndorfSeboldt2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, A. and Seboldt, W.}, title = {Optimierung der Lageregelung von Raumfahrzeugen mit Niedrigschubantrieb mittels evolution{\"a}rer neuronaler Regler / A. Ohndorf ; B. Dachwald ; W. Seboldt}, series = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2005 : Friedrichshafen, 26. bis 29. September 2005, Motto: Luft- und Raumfahrt - Grenzen {\"u}berwinden, Horizonte erweitern / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. Bd. 3. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt}, journal = {Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2005 : Friedrichshafen, 26. bis 29. September 2005, Motto: Luft- und Raumfahrt - Grenzen {\"u}berwinden, Horizonte erweitern / Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V. (DGLR). [Red.: Peter Brandt (verantwortlich)]. Bd. 3. - (Jahrbuch ... der Deutschen Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Luft- und Raumfahrt}, publisher = {DGLR}, address = {Bonn}, pages = {1971 -- 1978}, year = {2005}, language = {de} } @article{DachwaldSeboldt2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, W.}, 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} } @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{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} } @inproceedings{Dachwald2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Global optimization of low-thrust space missions using evolutionary neurocontrol}, series = {Proceedings of the international workshop on global optimization}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the international workshop on global optimization}, pages = {85 -- 90}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Low-thrust space propulsion systems enable flexible high-energy deep space missions, but the design and optimization of the interplanetary transfer trajectory is usually difficult. It involves much experience and expert knowledge because the convergence behavior of traditional local trajectory optimization methods depends strongly on an adequate initial guess. Within this extended abstract, evolutionary neurocontrol, a method that fuses artificial neural networks and evolutionary algorithms, is proposed as a smart global method for low-thrust trajectory optimization. It does not require an initial guess. The implementation of evolutionary neurocontrol is detailed and its performance is shown for an exemplary mission.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldBaturkinCoverstoneetal.2005, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Baturkin, Volodymyr and Coverstone, Victoria and Diedrich, Ben and Garbe, Gregory and G{\"o}rlich, Marianne and Leipold, Manfred and Lura, Franz and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandro and Rios-Reyes, Leonel and Scheeres, Daniel J. and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Wie, Bong}, title = {Potential effects of optical solar sail degredation on trajectory design}, series = {AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist}, booktitle = {AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist}, pages = {1 -- 23}, year = {2005}, abstract = {The optical properties of the thin metalized polymer films that are projected for solar sails are assumed to be affected by the erosive effects of the space environment. Their degradation behavior in the real space environment, however, is to a considerable degree indefinite, because initial ground test results are controversial and relevant inspace tests have not been made so far. The standard optical solar sail models that are currently used for trajectory design do not take optical degradation into account, hence its potential effects on trajectory design have not been investigated so far. Nevertheless, optical degradation is important for high-fidelity solar sail mission design, because it decreases both the magnitude of the solar radiation pressure force acting on the sail and also the sail control authority. Therefore, we propose a simple parametric optical solar sail degradation 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. Using our model, the effects of different optical degradation behaviors on trajectory design are investigated for various exemplary missions.}, 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} } @article{DachwaldSeboldtRichter2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, W. and Richter, L.}, title = {Multiple rendezvous and sample return missions to near-Earth objects using solar sailcraft / Dachwald, B. ; Seboldt, W. ; Richter, L.}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 59 (2006), H. 8-11}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 59 (2006), H. 8-11}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {768 -- 776}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldMengaliQuartaetal.2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Mengali, Giovanni and Quarta, Alessandrao A. and Macdonald, Malcolm}, title = {Parametric Model and Optimal Control of Solar Sails with Optical Degradation}, series = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 29 (2006), H. 5}, journal = {Journal of guidance, control, and dynamics. 29 (2006), H. 5}, isbn = {0162-3192}, pages = {1170 -- 1178}, year = {2006}, language = {en} } @article{DachwaldKahleWie2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Kahle, Ralph and Wie, Bong}, title = {Solar Sailing Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) Mission Design Tradeoffs for Impacting and Deflecting Asteroid 99942 Apophis}, 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 = {1 -- 20}, year = {2006}, 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} } @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{DachwaldBaturkinCoverstoneetal.2006, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Baturkin, Volodymyr and Coverstone, Victoria L. and Dietrich, Benjamin and Garbe, Gregory P. and G{\"o}rlich, Marianne and Leipold, Manfred and Lura, Franz and Macdonald, Malcolm and McInnes, Colin R. and Mengali, Giovanni and Quatra, Alessandro A. and Rios-Reyes, Leonel and Scheeres, Daniel J. and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Wie, Bong}, title = {Potential Effects of Optical Solar Sail Degradation on Interplanetary Trajectory Design}, 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 = {2569 -- 2592}, year = {2006}, 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, W.}, 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{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} } @inproceedings{LoebSchartnerSeboldtetal.2006, author = {Loeb, Horst W. and Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Dachwald, Bernd and Streppel, Joern and Meusemann, Hans and Sch{\"u}lke, Peter}, title = {SEP for a lander mission to the jovian moon europa}, series = {57th International Astronautical Congress}, booktitle = {57th International Astronautical Congress}, doi = {10.2514/6.IAC-06-C4.4.04}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Under DLR-contract, Giessen University and DLR Cologne are studying solar-electric propulsion missions (SEP) to the outer regions of the solar system. The most challenging reference mission concerns the transport of a 1.35-tons chemical lander spacecraft into an 80-RJ circular orbit around Jupiter, which would enable to place a 375 kg lander with 50 kg of scientific instruments on the surface of the icy moon "Europa". Thorough analyses show that the best solution in terms of SEP launch mass times thrusting time would be a two-stage EP module and a triple-junction solar array with concentrators which would be deployed step by step. Mission performance optimizations suggest to propel the spacecraft in the first EP stage by 6 gridded ion thrusters, running at 4.0 kV of beam voltage, which would save launch mass, and in the second stage by 4 thrusters with 1.25 to 1.5 kV of positive high voltage saving thrusting time. In this way, the launch mass of the spacecraft would be kept within 5.3 tons. Without a launcher's C3 and interplanetary gravity assists, Jupiter might be reached within about 4 yrs. The spiraling-down into the parking orbit would need another 1.8 yrs. This "large mission" can be scaled down to a smaller one, e.g., by halving all masses, the solar array power, and the number of thrusters. Due to their reliability, long lifetime and easy control, RIT-22 engines have been chosen for mission analysis. Based on precise tests, the thruster performance has been modeled.}, 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} } @article{DachwaldOhndorf2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, A.}, title = {1st ACT Global Trajectory Optimisation Competition : Results found at DLR}, series = {Acta Astronautica. 61 (2007), H. 9}, journal = {Acta Astronautica. 61 (2007), H. 9}, isbn = {0094-5765}, pages = {742 -- 752}, year = {2007}, 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} } @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{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{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{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} } @inproceedings{Dachwald2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Low-Thrust Mission Analysis and Global Trajectory Optimization Using Evolutionary Neurocontrol: New Results}, series = {European Workshop on Space Mission Analysis ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 10 { 12 Dec 2007}, booktitle = {European Workshop on Space Mission Analysis ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 10 { 12 Dec 2007}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Interplanetary trajectories for low-thrust spacecraft are often characterized by multiple revolutions around the sun. Unfortunately, the convergence of traditional trajectory optimizers that are based on numerical optimal control methods depends strongly on an adequate initial guess for the control function (if a direct method is used) or for the starting values of the adjoint vector (if an indirect method is used). Especially when many revolutions around the sun are re- quired, trajectory optimization becomes a very difficult and time-consuming task that involves a lot of experience and expert knowledge in astrodynamics and optimal control theory, because an adequate initial guess is extremely hard to find. Evolutionary neurocontrol (ENC) was proposed as a smart method for low-thrust trajectory optimization that fuses artificial neural networks and evolutionary algorithms to so-called evolutionary neurocontrollers (ENCs) [1]. Inspired by natural archetypes, ENC attacks the trajectoryoptimization problem from the perspective of artificial intelligence and machine learning, a perspective that is quite different from that of optimal control theory. Within the context of ENC, a trajectory is regarded as the result of a spacecraft steering strategy that maps permanently the actual spacecraft state and the actual target state onto the actual spacecraft control vector. This way, the problem of searching the optimal spacecraft trajectory is equivalent to the problem of searching (or "learning") the optimal spacecraft steering strategy. An artificial neural network is used to implement such a spacecraft steering strategy. It can be regarded as a parameterized function (the network function) that is defined by the internal network parameters. Therefore, each distinct set of network parameters defines a different network function and thus a different steering strategy. The problem of searching the optimal steering strategy is now equivalent to the problem of searching the optimal set of network parameters. Evolutionary algorithms that work on a population of (artificial) chromosomes are used to find the optimal network parameters, because the parameters can be easily mapped onto a chromosome. The trajectory optimization problem is solved when the optimal chromosome is found. A comparison of solar sail trajectories that have been published by others [2, 3, 4, 5] with ENC-trajectories has shown that ENCs can be successfully applied for near-globally optimal spacecraft control [1, 6] and that they are able to find trajectories that are closer to the (unknown) global optimum, because they explore the trajectory search space more exhaustively than a human expert can do. The obtained trajectories are fairly accurate with respect to the terminal constraint. If a more accurate trajectory is required, the ENC-solution can be used as an initial guess for a local trajectory optimization method. Using ENC, low-thrust trajectories can be optimized without an initial guess and without expert attendance. Here, new results for nuclear electric spacecraft and for solar sail spacecraft are presented and it will be shown that ENCs find very good trajectories even for very difficult problems. Trajectory optimization results are presented for 1. NASA's Solar Polar Imager Mission, a mission to attain a highly inclined close solar orbit with a solar sail [7] 2. a mission to de ect asteroid Apophis with a solar sail from a retrograde orbit with a very-high velocity impact [8, 9] 3. JPL's \2nd Global Trajectory Optimization Competition", a grand tour to visit four asteroids from different classes with a NEP spacecraft}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldSeboldtLoebetal.2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang and Loeb, Horst W. and Schartner, Karl-Heinz}, title = {A comparison of SEP and NEP for a main belt asteroid sample return mission}, series = {7th International Symposium on Launcher Technologies, Barcelona, Spain, 02-05 April 2007}, booktitle = {7th International Symposium on Launcher Technologies, Barcelona, Spain, 02-05 April 2007}, pages = {1 -- 10}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Innovative interplanetary deep space missions, like a main belt asteroid sample return mission, require ever larger velocity increments (∆V s) and thus ever more demanding propulsion capabilities. Providing much larger exhaust velocities than chemical high-thrust systems, electric low-thrust space-propulsion systems can significantly enhance or even enable such high-energy missions. In 1995, a European-Russian Joint Study Group (JSG) presented a study report on "Advanced Interplanetary Missions Using Nuclear-Electric Propulsion" (NEP). One of the investigated reference missions was a sample return (SR) from the main belt asteroid (19) Fortuna. The envisaged nuclear power plant, Topaz-25, however, could not be realized and also the worldwide developments in space reactor hardware stalled. In this paper, we investigate, whether such a mission is also feasible using a solar electric propulsion (SEP) system and compare our SEP results to corresponding NEP results.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DachwaldKahleWie2007, author = {Dachwald, Bernd and Kahle, Ralph and Wie, Bong}, title = {Head-on impact deflection of NEAs: a case study for 99942 Apophis}, series = {Planetary Defense Conference 2007}, booktitle = {Planetary Defense Conference 2007}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2007}, abstract = {Near-Earth asteroid (NEA) 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 less than 1 km-sized gravitational keyholes during its 2029-encounter. A pre-2029 kinetic impact is a very favorable option to nudge the asteroid out of a keyhole. The highest impact velocity and thus deflection can be achieved from a trajectory that is retrograde to Apophis orbit. With a chemical or electric propulsion system, however, many gravity assists and thus a long time is required to achieve this. We show in this paper that the solar sail might be the better propulsion system for such a mission: a solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) spacecraft could impact Apophis from a retrograde trajectory with a very high relative velocity (75-80 km/s) during one of its perihelion passages. The spacecraft consists of a 160 m × 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. For a launch in 2020, we also show that, even after Apophis has flown through one of the gravitational keyholes in 2029, the solar sail KEI concept is still feasible 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}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LoebSchartnerDachwaldetal.2007, author = {Loeb, Horst Wolfgang and Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Dachwald, Bernd and Seboldt, Wolfgang}, title = {SEP-Sample return from a main belt asteroid}, series = {30th International Electric Propulsion Conference}, booktitle = {30th International Electric Propulsion Conference}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2007}, abstract = {By DLR-contact, sample return missions to the large main-belt asteroid "19, Fortuna" have been studied. The mission scenario has been based on three ion thrusters of the RIT-22 model, which is presently under space qualification, and on solar arrays equipped with triple-junction GaAs solar cells. After having designed the spacecraft, the orbit-to-orbit trajectories for both, a one-way SEP mission with a chemical sample return and an all-SEP return mission, have been optimized using a combination of artificial neural networks with evolutionary algorithms. Additionally, body-to-body trajectories have been investigated within a launch period between 2012 and 2015. For orbit-to-orbit calculation, the launch masses of the hybrid mission and of the all-SEP mission resulted in 2.05 tons and 1.56 tons, respectively, including a scientific payload of 246 kg. For the related transfer durations 4.14 yrs and 4.62 yrs were obtained. Finally, a comparison between the mission scenarios based on SEP and on NEP have been carried out favouring clearly SEP.}, language = {en} }