Analysis of Optimal Flight Trajectories to the Trans-Neptunian Object (90377) Sedna

We present the results of our analysis of the optimal flight to the trans-Neptunian object (90377) Sedna at the launch in 2029. Sedna is a distant space object with a perihelion and aphelion ${∼}74$ and 1000 AU, respectively, suggesting that this celestial body may belong to the Oort cloud. The orbital period of Sedna is more than 11 000 years. In our study we have considered a direct flight to Sedna and a flight with gravity assists of Venus, the Earth, and Jupiter under a restriction on the flight duration and the total $Δ V$. As the main scenario for the flight to Sedna for the launch in 2029 we have chosen the Earth-Venus-Earth-Earth-Jupiter flight, which provides $Δ V$ cost no more than 4.64 km s${}^{-1}$ under flight time restrictions of 30 years. We have also investigated the possibility of extending the scenario for the flight to Sedna by including a close flyby of one or more asteroids. As an example, we consider in detail the scenario with the flyby of the main-belt asteroids (20) Massalia and (5080) Oya.