Near-Earth Asteroid Retrieval Mission (ARM) Study

Abstract

The Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) concept brings together the capabilities of the science,
\ntechnology, and the human exploration communities on a grand challenge combining robotic and
\nhuman space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. This paper addresses the key aspects of this
\nconcept and the options studied to assess its technical feasibility. Included are evaluations of the
\nexpected number of potential targets, their expected discovery rate, the necessity to adequately
\ncharacterize candidate mission targets, the process to capture a non-cooperative asteroid in deep
\nspace, and the power and propulsion technology required for transportation back to the EarthMoon
\nsystem. Viable options for spacecraft and mission designs are developed. Orbits for storing
\nthe retrieved asteroid that are stable for more than a hundred years, yet allow for human
\nexploration and commercial utilization of a redirected asteroid, are identified. The study concludes
\nthat the key aspects of finding, capturing and redirecting an entire small, near-Earth asteroid to
\nthe Earth-Moon system by the first half of the next decade are technically feasible. The study was
\nconducted from January 2013 through March 2013 by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in
\ncollaboration with Glenn Research Center (GRC), Johnson Space Center (JSC), Langley Research
\nCenter (LaRC), and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).