NEOTωIST: A relatively Inexpensive Kinetic Impactor Demonstration Mission Concept

Abstract

Mission concept: NEOTωIST stands for Near-Earth Object Transfer of angular momentum (ω∙I) Spin Test, and is a concept for a kinetic impactor demonstration mission, which aims to change the spin rate of an asteroid by impacting it off-center (Drube et al. 2016, Engel et al. 2016). The change would be measured by means of lightcurve measurements with Earth-based telescopes. In contrast to most other kinetic impactor demonstration mission concepts, NEOTωIST does not require a reconnaissance spacecraft to rendezvous with the target asteroid for orbit change and impact-effect measurements, and is therefore a relatively inexpensive alternative. The NEOTωIST mission would determine the efficiency of momentum transfer (the β-factor) during an impact, and help mature the technology required for a kinetic impactor mission, both of which are important precursor measures for a future space mission to deflect an asteroid by collisional means in an emergency impact hazard situation.