Mini-satellite exploration of very near earth space fuel objects

Conference · Sat Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:6943497

Zuppero, A C; Jacox, M G

A prospecting plan is presented to assay near Earth objects (NEO) for their potential to yield rocket fuel. The plan calls out small satellites as the near-term means to achieve low cost surveys and deep subsurface sampling of NEO composition. The water bearing classes of NEO to be considered are limited to those accessible in short time and with small thrusters. These include the water bearing clay objects (phylosilicates) at nearly trivial distances from Earth, and the recently identified water ice objects such as comet ([number sign]4015) 1979 VA. These objects are evaluated as small satellite prospecting and assay vehicle targets.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6943497
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-92532; CONF-9209285-1; ON: DE93005253
• Resource Relation: Conference: 6. annual American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics/Utah State University (AIAA/USU) conference on small satellites, Logan, UT (United States), 21-24 Sep 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
42 ENGINEERING
COMETS
EXPLORATION
ROCKETS
FUELS
PENETRATORS
SATELLITES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
661300* - Other Aspects of Physical Science- (1992-)
420200 - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques