Abstract
The Case for a Planetary Defense-Optimized NEO Characterization Tour
Highlights
For the first time, planetary defense priorities are being included in the community’s decadal re-evaluation of planetary science
It is conceivable that such challenges could be part of the mission concept we describe below, though it would need to be made clear from the outset whether the engineering challenge or asteroid investigation would be the primary driver of the project
Hazardous Asteroid Characterization Tour We propose that the planetary defense objectives of a mission to Apophis, if one is being considered, can best be conducted during one or more encounters of a multi-encounter Potentially Hazardous Asteroid Characterization Tour (PHACT) and recommend studying such a mission concept as part of this Decadal Survey effort
Summary
Planetary defense priorities are being included in the community’s decadal re-evaluation of planetary science. There is a widespread consensus, frequently expressed by the Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) that a space-based survey telescope like the NEO Survey Mission (NEOSM) is the highest priority mission for planetary defense. This capability would be in addition to maintaining ongoing or imminent ground-based survey efforts (e.g., Vera Rubin Observatory). Miller et al [8] argued in “Asteroid Characterization Priorities for Planetary Defense” that the characteristics needed to mitigate a specific impact threat are: orbit, mass, composition, porosity, shape, structure, and spin, in descending order of importance (Table 1).
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