An interplanetary mission to Near-Earth Objects (NEOs): Analysis of trajectories to Asteroid for Sample Return Mission Using Gravity Assists

Asteroids exploration missions attract many scientists interest because asteroids hold key clues to understanding the origin of our solar system and the information of the planets Since last century human have carried out many deep space missions DSI NEAR and gained a plenty of valuable experience With many new asteroid missions in various stages of development MUSES-C ROSETTA the situation regarding our understanding of these bodies can improve in the future With the success of Shen-Zhou manned spaceship and the development of Chang-Er program it will provide the great opportunity for Chinese development of the deep space exploration The gravity assist is a proven technique interplanetary exploration as exemplified by the mission Voyager etc Here a mission to Near Earth Asteroids NEAs sample return for the 2010-2020 is proposed with the goal of selecting the potential candidates and studying schemes for the mission According to the constraints of the mission we search and present the optimal rendezvous and sample return opportunities for potential candidates A direct transfer to the candidate is considered and also Earth gravity assist are used for the transfer to candidate In addition when the spacecraft passes through the asteroid belt it will take advantage of asteroid flyby opportunities In order to accomplish the multiple flyby asteroids and sample return we first need to optimize the trajectory to candidate with planetary gravity assist and then search for asteroids that would pass close to this trajectory and refine