@inproceedings{GrundmannBorellaCeriottietal.2021, author = {Grundmann, Jan Thimo and Borella, Laura and Ceriotti, Matteo and Chand, Suditi and Cordero, Federico and Dachwald, Bernd and Fexer, Sebastian and Grimm, Christian D. and Hendrikse, Jeffrey and Herč{\´i}k, David and Herique, Alain and Hillebrandt, Martin and Ho, Tra-Mi and Kesseler, Lars and Laabs, Martin and Lange, Caroline and Lange, Michael and Lichtenheldt, Roy and McInnes, Colin R. and Moore, Iain and Peloni, Alessandro and Plettenmeier, Dirk and Quantius, Dominik and Seefeldt, Patric and Venditti, Flaviane c. F. and Vergaaij, Merel and Viavattene, Giulia and Virkki, Anne K. and Zander, Martin}, title = {More bucks for the bang: new space solutions, impact tourism and one unique science \& engineering opportunity at T-6 months and counting}, series = {7th IAA Planetary Defense Conference}, booktitle = {7th IAA Planetary Defense Conference}, year = {2021}, abstract = {For now, the Planetary Defense Conference Exercise 2021's incoming fictitious(!), asteroid, 2021 PDC, seems headed for impact on October 20th, 2021, exactly 6 months after its discovery. Today (April 26th, 2021), the impact probability is 5\%, in a steep rise from 1 in 2500 upon discovery six days ago. We all know how these things end. Or do we? Unless somebody kicked off another headline-grabbing media scare or wants to keep civil defense very idle very soon, chances are that it will hit (note: this is an exercise!). Taking stock, it is barely 6 months to impact, a steadily rising likelihood that it will actually happen, and a huge uncertainty of possible impact energies: First estimates range from 1.2 MtTNT to 13 GtTNT, and this is not even the worst-worst case: a 700 m diameter massive NiFe asteroid (covered by a thin veneer of Ryugu-black rubble to match size and brightness), would come in at 70 GtTNT. In down to Earth terms, this could be all between smashing fireworks over some remote area of the globe and a 7.5 km crater downtown somewhere. Considering the deliberate and sedate ways of development of interplanetary missions it seems we can only stand and stare until we know well enough where to tell people to pack up all that can be moved at all and save themselves. But then, it could just as well be a smaller bright rock. The best estimate is 120 m diameter from optical observation alone, by 13\% standard albedo. NASA's upcoming DART mission to binary asteroid (65803) Didymos is designed to hit such a small target, its moonlet Dimorphos. The Deep Impact mission's impactor in 2005 successfully guided itself to the brightest spot on comet 9P/Tempel 1, a relatively small feature on the 6 km nucleus. And 'space' has changed: By the end of this decade, one satellite communication network plans to have launched over 11000 satellites at a pace of 60 per launch every other week. This level of series production is comparable in numbers to the most prolific commercial airliners. Launch vehicle production has not simply increased correspondingly - they can be reused, although in a trade for performance. Optical and radio astronomy as well as planetary radar have made great strides in the past decade, and so has the design and production capability for everyday 'high-tech' products. 60 years ago, spaceflight was invented from scratch within two years, and there are recent examples of fast-paced space projects as well as a drive towards 'responsive space'. It seems it is not quite yet time to abandon all hope. We present what could be done and what is too close to call once thinking is shoved out of the box by a clear and present danger, to show where a little more preparedness or routine would come in handy - or become decisive. And if we fail, let's stand and stare safely and well instrumented anywhere on Earth together in the greatest adventure of science.}, 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} } @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{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} } @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{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} } @inproceedings{SchartnerLoebDachwaldetal.2009, author = {Schartner, Karl-Heinz and Loeb, H. W. and Dachwald, Bernd and Ohndorf, Andreas}, title = {Perspectives of electric propulsion for outer planetary and deep space missions}, series = {European Planetary Science Congress 2009}, booktitle = {European Planetary Science Congress 2009}, pages = {416 -- 416}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Solar-electric propulsion (SEP) is superior with respect to payload capacity, flight time and flexible launch window to the conventional interplanetary transfer method using chemical propulsion combined with gravity assists. This fact results from the large exhaust velocities of electric low-thrust propulsion and is favourable also for missions to the giant planets, Kuiper-belt objects and even for a heliopause probe (IHP) as shown in three studies by the authors funded by DLR. They dealt with a lander for Europa and a sample return mission from a mainbelt asteroid [1], with the TANDEM mission [2]; the third recent one investigates electric propulsion for the transfer to the edge of the solar system. All studies are based on triple-junction solar arrays, on rf-ion thrusters of the qualified RIT-22 type and they use the intelligent trajectory optimization program InTrance [3].}, 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} } @inproceedings{PeloniCeriottiDachwald2015, author = {Peloni, A. and Ceriotti, M. and Dachwald, Bernd}, title = {Preliminary trajectory design of a multiple NEO rendezvous mission through solar sailing}, series = {Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC, Vol. 8, 2014}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC, Vol. 8, 2014}, publisher = {Curran}, address = {Red Hook, NY}, isbn = {978-1-63439-986-9}, pages = {5352 -- 5366}, year = {2015}, 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} }