Sending a Spacecraft to Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov (1909.06348v3)

Abstract: In August 2019, a second interstellar object 2I/Borisov was discovered 2 years after the discovery of the first known interstellar object, 1I/'Oumuamua. Can we send a spacecraft to this object, using existing technologies? In this paper we assess the technical feasibility of a near-term mission to 2I/Borisov. We apply the Optimum Interplanetary Trajectory Software (OITS) tool to generate trajectories to 2I/Borisov. As results, we get the minimal $\Delta V$ trajectory with a launch date in July 2018. For this trajectory, a Falcon Heavy launcher could have hauled an 8 ton spacecraft to 2I/Borisov. For a later launch date, results for a combined powered Jupiter flyby with a Solar Oberth maneuver are presented. For a launch in 2027, we could reach 2I/Borisov in 2052, using the Space Launch System (SLS), up-scaled Parker probe heat shield technology, and solid propulsion engines. Using a SLS a spacecraft with a mass of 765 kg could be sent to 2I/Borisov. A Falcon Heavy could deliver 202 kg to 2I/Borisov. Arrival times sooner than 2052 can potentially be achieved but with higher $\Delta V$ requirements and lower spacecraft payload masses. 2I/Borisov's discovery shortly after the discovery of 1I/'Oumuamua implies that the next interstellar object might be discovered in the near future. The feasibility of a mission to both, 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov using existing technologies indicates that missions to at least some future interstellar objects are feasible as well.

• The paper's primary finding is that a minimal DeltaV trajectory for Borisov required a July 2018 launch using Falcon Heavy to deliver a 2-ton payload with a hyperbolic excess velocity of 5532.6 m/s.
• The study employs OITS with patched conic approximations and the Universal Variable Formulation solved by NOMAD to determine optimal mission trajectories.
• The analysis further explores future missions using powered Jupiter flybys and Solar Oberth maneuvers, suggesting that CubeSat-class probes could enable cost-effective interstellar exploration.

Sending a Spacecraft to Interstellar Comet C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)

The research under discussion explores the feasibility of deploying a spacecraft to the interstellar object C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) by leveraging existing technologies. This analysis is conducted in the wake of the recognition of the object's likely interstellar nature, following the first interstellar visitor 1I/'Oumuamua. The paper evaluates potential trajectories and mission profiles using the Optimum Interplanetary Trajectory Software (OITS), specifically examining minimal DeltaV trajectories and possible launch windows.

Methodology

The researchers employ OITS to determine viable paths to Borisov. OITS's calculations are based on a patched conic approximation—a simplification which considers each celestial body's gravitational influence independently. The optimization utilizes the Universal Variable Formulation of the Lambert problem and is resolved through the NOMAD solver, focusing on minimizing DeltaV.

Key Findings and Results

1. Minimal DeltaV Trajectory: The optimum trajectory required a launch in July 2018, which, given the resolution time, indicates a missed opportunity. This trajectory would have allowed a Falcon Heavy launcher to deliver a 2-ton payload to Borisov, maintaining a hyperbolic excess velocity of 5532.6 m/s with an arrival in October 2019.
2. Future Launch Options: Exploring future launch opportunities, the paper prescribes a mission employing a powered Jupiter flyby coupled with a Solar Oberth maneuver. A proposed launch in 2030 could reach Borisov by 2045. Such maneuvers necessitate advancements like Space Launch System (SLS)-class rockets and up-scaled heat shield technologies akin to those from the Parker Solar Probe project.
3. CubeSat-Class Missions: For a launch facilitated by a Jupiter flyby and Solar Oberth maneuver, it's estimated a CubeSat-class spacecraft with a mass of merely 3 kg could suffice to reach Borisov, suggesting cost-effective exploratory missions are feasible with low payload masses.

Implications and Discussion

The paper elucidates that a mission to C/2019 Q4 (Borisov), though missed for optimal DeltaV conditions, remains technologically plausible for future endeavors. The analysis suggests that if C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) is indeed an interstellar object, its discovery soon after 1I/'Oumuamua implies the likely imminence of further such discoveries. Hence, developing spacecraft capable of rapidly adapting to new trajectory challenges could be imperative.

The practical implications of such missions encompass having near-real-time trajectory adaptability and cost-efficient spacecraft design—demonstrating the feasibility of sending small, lightweight probes using currently available rockets. These implications transcend to theoretical spheres by increasing our understanding of interstellar medium and supporting astrobiological studies that investigate the materials and conditions of other star systems.

Future Prospects

The paper posits that technological forecasts call for innovations in spacecraft design and energy-efficient propulsion technologies to capitalize on such interstellar missions. Advancements in heat shield materials and propulsion systems will further enable these missions without exorbitant fuel consumption. In the context of AI, machine learning could play a role by optimizing trajectory calculations and dynamically adapting mission plans in real time. As the frequency and accuracy of interstellar object detection improve, these technologies will underpin a new era of interstellar exploration, allowing a more profound understanding of extrasolar phenomena.

In summary, the exploration of trajectories to interstellar objects like C/2019 Q4 (Borisov) is feasible within the technological frameworks available today, offering promising pathways for future missions on a significantly smaller budget and at reduced payload capacities.