TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd T1 - Global optimization of low-thrust space missions using evolutionary neurocontrol T2 - Proceedings of the international workshop on global optimization N2 - 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. KW - Evolutionary Neurocontrol KW - Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization KW - Low-Thrust Propulsion Y1 - 2005 SP - 85 EP - 90 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Loeb, Horst W. A1 - Schartner, Karl-Heinz T1 - A comparison of SEP and NEP for a main belt asteroid sample return mission T2 - 7th International Symposium on Launcher Technologies, Barcelona, Spain, 02-05 April 2007 N2 - 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. Y1 - 2007 SP - 1 EP - 10 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Duprat, J. A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Hilchenbach, M. A1 - Engrand, Cecile A1 - Espe, C. A1 - Feldmann, M. A1 - Francke, G. A1 - Görög, Mark A1 - Lüsing, N. A1 - Langenhorst, Falko T1 - The MARVIN project: a micrometeorite harvester in Antarctic snow T2 - 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference N2 - MARVIN is an automated drilling and melting probe dedicated to collect pristine interplanetary dust particles (micrometeorites) from central Antarctica snow. Y1 - 2013 N1 - 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 18-22, 2013, The Woodlands, Texas ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hallmann, Marcus A1 - Heidecker, Ansgar A1 - Schlotterer, Markus A1 - Dachwald, Bernd T1 - GTOC8: results and methods of team 15 DLR T2 - 26th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, Napa, CA N2 - 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. Y1 - 2016 N1 - 26th AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, February 14-18, 2016, Napa, California, U.S.A. Napa, CA ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Blome, Hans-Joachim A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Richter, Lutz T1 - Proposal for an integrated European space exploration strategy T2 - 55th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law N2 - 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. Y1 - 2004 N1 - 55th International Astronautical Congress 2004 - Vancouver, Canada SP - 1 EP - 10 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Loeb, Horst W. A1 - Schartner, Karl-Heinz A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Streppel, Joern A1 - Meusemann, Hans A1 - Schülke, Peter T1 - SEP for a lander mission to the jovian moon europa T2 - 57th International Astronautical Congress N2 - 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. Y1 - 2006 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.IAC-06-C4.4.04 N1 - 57th International Astronautical Congress, 02 October 2006 - 06 October 2006, Valencia, Spain. SP - 1 EP - 12 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Bauer, Waldemar A1 - Biele, Jens A1 - Boden, Ralf A1 - Ceriotti, Matteo A1 - Cordero, Federico A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Dumont, Etienne A1 - Grimm, Christian D. A1 - Herčík, David A1 - Ho, Tra-Mi A1 - Jahnke, Rico A1 - Koch, Aaron D A1 - Koncz, Alexander A1 - Krause, Christian A1 - Lange, Caroline A1 - Lichtenheldt, Roy A1 - Maiwald, Volker A1 - Mikschl, Tobias A1 - Mikulz, Eugen A1 - Montenegro, Sergio A1 - Pelivan, Ivanka A1 - Peloni, Alessandro A1 - Quantius, Dominik A1 - Reershemius, Siebo A1 - Renger, Thomas A1 - Riemann, Johannes A1 - Ruffer, Michael A1 - Sasaki, Kaname A1 - Schmitz, Nicole A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Spietz, Peter A1 - Spröwitz, Tom A1 - Sznajder, Maciej A1 - Tardivel, Simon A1 - Tóth, Norbert A1 - Wejmo, Elisabet A1 - Wolff, Friederike A1 - Ziach, Christian T1 - Small spacecraft based multiple near-earth asteroid rendezvous and landing with near-term solar sails and ‘Now-Term ‘technologies T2 - 69 th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) N2 - Physical interaction with small solar system bodies (SSSB) is the next step in planetary science, planetary in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and planetary defense (PD). It requires a broader understanding of the surface properties of the target objects, with particular interest focused on those near Earth. Knowledge of composition, multi-scale surface structure, thermal response, and interior structure is required to design, validate and operate missions addressing these three fields. The current level of understanding is occasionally simplified into the phrase, ”If you’ve seen one asteroid, you’ve seen one asteroid”, meaning that the in-situ characterization of SSSBs has yet to cross the threshold towards a robust and stable scheme of classification. This would enable generic features in spacecraft design, particularly for ISRU and science missions. Currently, it is necessary to characterize any potential target object sufficiently by a dedicated pre-cursor mission to design the mission which then interacts with the object in a complex fashion. To open up strategic approaches, much broader in-depth characterization of potential target objects would be highly desirable. In SSSB science missions, MASCOT-like nano-landers and instrument carriers which integrate at the instrument level to their mothership have met interest. By its size, MASCOT is compatible with small interplanetary missions. The DLR-ESTEC Gossamer Roadmap Science Working Groups‘ studies identified Multiple Near-Earth asteroid (NEA) Rendezvous (MNR) as one of the space science missions only feasible with solar sail propulsion. The Solar Polar Orbiter (SPO) study showed the ability to access any inclination, theDisplaced-L1 (DL1) mission operates close to Earth, where objects of interest to PD and for ISRU reside. Other studies outline the unique capability of solar sails to provide access to all SSSB, at least within the orbit of Jupiter, and significant progress has been made to explore the performance envelope of near-term solar sails for MNR. However, it is difficult for sailcraft to interact physically with a SSSB. We expand and extend the philosophy of the recently qualified DLR Gossamer solar sail deployment technology using efficient multiple sub-spacecraft integration to also include landers for one-way in-situ investigations and sample-return missions by synergetic integration and operation of sail and lander. The MASCOT design concept and its characteristic features have created an ideal counterpart for thisand has already been adapted to the needs of the AIM spacecraft, former part of the NASA-ESA AIDA missionDesigning the 69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Bremen, Germany, 1-5 October 2018. IAC-18-F1.2.3 Page 2 of 17 combined spacecraft for piggy-back launch accommodation enables low-cost massively parallel access to the NEA population. KW - multiple NEA rendezvous KW - solar sail KW - GOSSAMER-1 KW - MASCOT KW - small spacecraft Y1 - 2018 N1 - 69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Bremen, Germany, 1-5 October 2018. https://www.bho-legal.com/1-5-october-2018-69th-international-astronautical-congress-2018-in-bremen-germany/ SP - 1 EP - 18 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Bauer, Waldemar A1 - Boden, Ralf Christian A1 - Ceriotti, Matteo A1 - Cordero, Federico A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Dumont, Etienne A1 - Grimm, Christian D. A1 - Hercik, D. A1 - Herique, A. A1 - Ho, Tra-Mi A1 - Jahnke, Rico A1 - Kofman, Wlodek A1 - Lange, Caroline A1 - Lichtenheldt, Roy A1 - McInnes, Colin R. A1 - Mikschl, Tobias A1 - Mikulz, Eugen A1 - Montenegro, Sergio A1 - Moore, Iain A1 - Pelivan, Ivanka A1 - Peloni, Alessandro A1 - Plettemeier, Dirk A1 - Quantius, Dominik A1 - Reershemius, Siebo A1 - Renger, Thomas A1 - Riemann, Johannes A1 - Rogez, Yves A1 - Ruffer, Michael A1 - Sasaki, Kaname A1 - Schmitz, Nicole A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Spietz, Peter A1 - Spröwitz, Tom A1 - Sznajder, Maciej A1 - Toth, Norbert A1 - Viavattene, Giulia A1 - Wejmo, Elisabet A1 - Wolff, Friederike A1 - Ziach, Christian T1 - Responsive integrated small spacecraft solar sail and payload design concepts and missions T2 - Conference: 5th International Symposium on Solar Sailing (ISSS 2019) N2 - Asteroid mining has the potential to greatly reduce the cost of in-space manufacturing, production of propellant for space transportation and consumables for crewed spacecraft, compared to launching the required resources from Earth’s deep gravity well. This paper discusses the top-level mission architecture and trajectory design for these resource-return missions, comparing high-thrust trajectories with continuous low-thrust solar-sail trajectories. This work focuses on maximizing the economic Net Present Value, which takes the time-cost of finance into account and therefore balances the returned resource mass and mission duration. The different propulsion methods will then be compared in terms of maximum economic return, sets of attainable target asteroids, and mission flexibility. This paper provides one more step towards making commercial asteroid mining an economically viable reality by integrating trajectory design, propulsion technology and economic modelling. Y1 - 2019 N1 - Conference: 5th International Symposium on Solar Sailing (ISSS 2019)At: Aachen, Germany ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Kahle, Ralph A1 - Wie, Bong T1 - Solar sail Kinetic Energy Impactor (KEI) mission design tradeoffs for impacting and deflecting asteroid 99942 Apophis T2 - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit N2 - 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. KW - Solar Sail KW - Asteroid Deflection KW - Planetary Protection KW - Trajectory Optimization Y1 - 2006 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.2006-6178 N1 - AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit, 21 August 2006 - 24 August 2006, Keystone, Colorado(USA). SP - 1 EP - 20 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pirovano, Laura A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Noomen, Ron T1 - Attitude and orbital modeling of an uncontrolled solar-sail experiment in low-Earth orbit T2 - 25th International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics ISSFD N2 - Gossamer-1 is the first project of the three-step Gossamer roadmap, the purpose of which is to develop, prove and demonstrate that solar-sail technology is a safe and reliable propulsion technique for long-lasting and high-energy missions. This paper firstly presents the structural analysis performed on the sail to understand its elastic behavior. The results are then used in attitude and orbital simulations. The model considers the main forces and torques that a satellite experiences in low-Earth orbit coupled with the sail deformation. Doing the simulations for varying initial conditions in attitude and rotation rate, the results show initial states to avoid and maximum rotation rates reached for correct and faulty deployment of the sail. Lastly comparisons with the classic flat sail model are carried out to test the hypothesis that the elastic behavior does play a role in the attitude and orbital behavior of the sail KW - Solar sail KW - Gossamer structures KW - Attitude dynamics KW - Orbital dynamics Y1 - 2015 N1 - 25th International Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics ISSFD October 19 – 23, 2015, Munich, Germany https://issfd.org/2015/ SP - 1 EP - 15 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Lange, Caroline A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Grimm, Christian A1 - Koch, Aaron A1 - Ulamec, Stephan T1 - Small Spacecraft in Planetary Defence Related Applications–Capabilities, Constraints, Challenges T2 - IEEE Aerospace Conference N2 - 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. KW - small spacecraft KW - planetary defence KW - asteroid lander KW - solar sail KW - flotilla missions Y1 - 2015 N1 - 2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference, 7.-13. Mar. 2015, Big Sky, Montana, USA. SP - 1 EP - 18 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Peloni, Alessandro A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Ceriotti, Matteo T1 - Multiple NEA rendezvous mission: Solar sailing options T2 - Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing N2 - 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. KW - Multiphase KW - Trajectory Optimization KW - Automated Optimization KW - Gossamer KW - Sequence-Search Y1 - 2017 N1 - Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing (ISSS 2017), Kyoto, Japan, 17-20 Jan 2017. http://www.jsforum.or.jp/ISSS2017/ SP - 1 EP - 11 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Bauer, Waldemar A1 - Boden, Ralf Christian A1 - Ceriotti, Matteo A1 - Cordero, Federico A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Dumont, Etienne A1 - Grimm, Christian D. A1 - Hercik, D. A1 - Herique, A. A1 - Ho, Tra-Mi A1 - Jahnke, Rico A1 - Kofman, Wlodek A1 - Lange, Caroline A1 - Lichtenheldt, Roy A1 - McInnes, Colin R. A1 - Mikschl, Tobias A1 - Montenegro, Sergio A1 - Moore, Iain A1 - Pelivan, Ivanka A1 - Peloni, Alessandro A1 - Plettenmeier, Dirk A1 - Quantius, Dominik A1 - Reershemius, Siebo A1 - Renger, Thomas A1 - Riemann, Johannes A1 - Rogez, Yves A1 - Ruffer, Michael A1 - Sasaki, Kaname A1 - Schmitz, Nicole A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Spietz, Peter A1 - Spröwitz, Tom A1 - Sznajder, Maciej A1 - Toth, Norbert A1 - Viavattene, Giulia A1 - Wejmo, Elisabet A1 - Wolff, Friederike A1 - Ziach, Christian T1 - Responsive exploration and asteroid characterization through integrated solar sail and lander development using small spacecraft technologies T2 - IAA Planetary Defense Conference N2 - In parallel to the evolution of the Planetary Defense Conference, the exploration of small solar system bodies has advanced from fast fly-bys on the sidelines of missions to the planets to the implementation of dedicated sample-return and in-situ analysis missions. Spacecraft of all sizes have landed, touch-and-go sampled, been gently beached, or impacted at hypervelocity on asteroid and comet surfaces. More have flown by close enough to image their surfaces in detail or sample their immediate environment, often as part of an extended or re-purposed mission. And finally, full-scale planetary defense experiment missions are in the making. Highly efficient low-thrust propulsion is increasingly applied beyond commercial use also in mainstream and flagship science missions, in combination with gravity assist propulsion. Another development in the same years is the growth of small spacecraft solutions, not in size but in numbers and individual capabilities. The on-going NASA OSIRIS-REx and JAXA HAYABUSA2 missions exemplify the trend as well as the upcoming NEA SCOUT mission or the landers MINERVA-II and MASCOT recently deployed on Ryugu. We outline likely as well as possible and efficient routes of continuation of all these developments towards a propellant-less and highly efficient class of spacecraft for small solar system body exploration: small spacecraft solar sails designed for carefree handling and equipped with carried landers and application modules, for all asteroid user communities –planetary science, planetary defence, and in-situ resource utilization. This projection builds on the experience gained in the development of deployable membrane structures leading up to the successful ground deployment test of a (20 m)² solar sail at DLR Cologne and in the 20 years since. It draws on the background of extensive trajectory optimization studies, the qualified technology of the DLR GOSSAMER-1 deployment demonstrator, and the MASCOT asteroid lander. These enable ‘now-term’ as well as near-term hardware solutions, and thus responsive fast-paced development. Mission types directly applicable to planetary defense include: single and Multiple NEA Rendezvous ((M)NR) for mitigation precursor, target monitoring and deflection follow-up tasks; sail-propelled head-on retrograde kinetic impactors (RKI) for mitigation; and deployable membrane based methods to modify the asteroid’s properties or interact with it. The DLR-ESTEC GOSSAMER Roadmap initiated studies of missions uniquely feasible with solar sails such as Displaced L1 (DL1) space weather advance warning and monitoring and Solar Polar Orbiter (SPO) delivery which demonstrate the capability of near-term solar sails to achieve NEA rendezvous in any kind of orbit, from Earth-coorbital to extremely inclined and even retrograde orbits. For those mission types using separable payloads, such as SPO, (M)NR and RKI, design concepts can be derived from the separable Boom Sail Deployment Units characteristic of DLR GOSSAMER solar sail technology, nanolanders like MASCOT, or microlanders like the JAXA-DLR Jupiter Trojan Asteroid Lander for the OKEANOS mission which can shuttle from the sail to the asteroids visited and enable multiple NEA sample-return missions. These are an ideal match for solar sails in micro-spacecraft format whose launch configurations are compatible with ESPA and ASAP secondary payload platforms. Y1 - 2019 N1 - Conference: IAA Planetary Defense ConferenceAt: Washington DC, USA 29.04-03.05.2019 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Baturkin, Volodymyr A1 - Coverstone, Victoria A1 - Diedrich, Ben A1 - Garbe, Gregory A1 - Görlich, Marianne A1 - Leipold, Manfred A1 - Lura, Franz A1 - Macdonald, Malcolm A1 - McInnes, Colin A1 - Mengali, Giovanni A1 - Quarta, Alessandro A1 - Rios-Reyes, Leonel A1 - Scheeres, Daniel J. A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang A1 - Wie, Bong T1 - Potential effects of optical solar sail degredation on trajectory design T2 - AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist N2 - 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. Y1 - 2005 N1 - 2005 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, 7-11.08.2005. Lake Tahoe, California https://www.space-flight.org/AAS_meetings/2005_astro/2005_astro.html SP - 1 EP - 23 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Loeb, Horst W. A1 - Schartner, Karl-Heinz A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Ohndorf, Andreas A1 - Seboldt, Wolfgang T1 - An Interstellar – Heliopause mission using a combination of solar/radioisotope electric propulsion T2 - Presented at the 32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference N2 - 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. Y1 - 2011 N1 - 32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference, 11-15 September. Wiesbaden, Germany SP - 1 EP - 7 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Biele, Jens A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Grimm, Christian D. A1 - Lange, Caroline A1 - Ulamec, Stephan A1 - Ziach, Christian A1 - Spröwitz, Tom A1 - Ruffer, Michael A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Spietz, Peter A1 - Toth, Norbert A1 - Mimasu, Yuya A1 - Rittweger, Andreas A1 - Bibring, Jean-Pierre A1 - Braukhane, Andy A1 - Boden, Ralf Christian A1 - Dumont, Etienne A1 - Jahnke, Stephan Siegfried A1 - Jetzschmann, Michael A1 - Krüger, Hans A1 - Lange, Michael A1 - Gomez, Antonio Martelo A1 - Massonett, Didier A1 - Okada, Tatsuaki A1 - Sagliano, Marco A1 - Sasaki, Kaname A1 - Schröder, Silvio A1 - Sippel, Martin A1 - Skoczylas, Thomas A1 - Wejmo, Elisabet T1 - Small landers and separable sub-spacecraft for near-term solar sails T2 - The Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing 2017 N2 - Following the successful PHILAE landing with ESA's ROSETTA probe and the launch of the MINERVA rovers and the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, MASCOT, aboard the JAXA space probe, HAYABUSA2, to asteroid (162173) Ryugu, small landers have found increasing interest. Integrated at the instrument level in their mothership they support small solar system body studies. With efficient capabilities, resource-friendly design and inherent robustness they are an attractive exploration mission element. We discuss advantages and constraints of small sub-spacecraft, focusing on emerging areas of activity such as asteroid diversity studies, planetary defence, and asteroid mining, on the background of our projects PHILAE, MASCOT, MASCOT2, the JAXA-DLR Solar Power Sail Lander Design Study, and others. The GOSSAMER-1 solar sail deployment concept also involves independent separable sub-spacecraft operating synchronized to deploy the sail. Small spacecraft require big changes in the way we do things and occasionally a little more effort than would be anticipated based on a traditional large spacecraft approach. In a Constraints-Driven Engineering environment we apply Concurrent Design and Engineering (CD/CE), Concurrent Assembly, Integration and Verification (CAIV) and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Near-term solar sails will likely be small spacecraft which we expect to harmonize well with nano-scale separable instrument payload packages. KW - Small Solar System Body Lander KW - Small Spacecraft KW - PHILAE KW - MASCOT KW - Solar Power Sail Y1 - 2017 N1 - The Fourth International Symposium on Solar Sailing 2017, 17-20 January 2017. Kyoto Research Park, Kyoto, Japan SP - 1 EP - 10 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd T1 - Radiation pressure force model for an ideal laser-enhanced solar sail T2 - 4th International Symposium on Solar Sailing N2 - The concept of a laser-enhanced solar sail is introduced and the radiation pressure force model for an ideal laser-enhanced solar sail is derived. A laser-enhanced solar sail is a “traditional” solar sail that is, however, not solely propelled by solar radiation, but additionally by a laser beam that illuminates the sail. The additional laser radiation pressure increases the sail's propulsive force and can give, depending on the location of the laser source, more control authority over the direction of the solar sail’s propulsive force vector. This way, laser-enhanced solar sails may augment already existing solar sail mission concepts and make novel mission concepts feasible. Y1 - 2017 N1 - 4th International Symposium on Solar Sailing 17-20 January 2017, Kyōto, Japan SP - 1 EP - 5 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Seefeldt, Patric A1 - Bauer, Waldemar A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Grundmann, Jan Thimo A1 - Straubel, Marco A1 - Sznajder, Maciej A1 - Tóth, Norbert A1 - Zander, Martin E. T1 - Large lightweight deployable structures for planetary defence: solar sail propulsion, solar concentrator payloads, large-scale photovoltaic power T2 - 4th IAA Planetary Defense Conference - PDC 2015, 13-17 April 2015, Frascati, Roma, Italy Y1 - 2015 N1 - IAA-PDC-15-P-20 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schoutetens, Frederic A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Heiligers, Jeannette T1 - Optimisation of photon-sail trajectories in the alpha-centauri system using evolutionary neurocontrol T2 - 8th ICATT (International Conference on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques) 23 - 25 June 2021, Virtual N2 - 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. Y1 - 2021 N1 - 8th ICATT (International Conference on Astrodynamics Tools and Techniques) 23 - 25 June 2021, Virtual SP - 1 EP - 15 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Dachwald, Bernd A1 - Mengali, Giovanni A1 - Quarta, Alessandro A A1 - Macdonald, Malcolm A1 - McInnes, Colin R T1 - Optical solar sail degradation modelling T2 - 1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing N2 - 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. Y1 - 2007 N1 - 1st International Symposium on Solar Sailing 27–29 June 2007, Herrsching, Germany SP - 1 EP - 27 ER -