Asteroid Control and Resource Utilization

G. Paterson; G. Radice; J-P. Sanchez (2013), JBIS, 66, 155-160

Refcode: 2013.66.155

Abstract:
Asteroids are materials rich small solar system bodies which are prime candidates for rendezvous and mining. Up until now much attention has been focused on methods of destroying or deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids from colliding with the Earth. Recently however the concept of asteroid capture has been suggested whereby the asteroid is returned to an orbit close to the Earth before mining can begin. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the field for new researchers and to put forward a number of novel strategies for asteroid control.