Ian Carnelli

Evolutionary Neurocontrol: A Novel Method for Low-Thrust Gravity-Assist Trajectory Optimization

The combination of low-thrust propulsion and gravity assists to enhance deep-space missions has proven to be a remarkable task. In this paper, we present a novel method that is based on evolutionary neurocontrollers. The main advantage in the use of a neurocontroller is the generation of a control law with a limited number of decision variables. On the other hand, the evolutionary algorithm allows one to look for globally optimal solutions more efficiently than with a systematic search. In addition, a steepest-ascent algorithm is introduced that acts as a navigator during the planetary encounter, providing the neurocontroller with the optimal insertion parameters. Results are presented for a Mercury rendezvous with a Venus gravity assist and for a Pluto flyby with a Jupiter gravity assist.

AIDA: Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment

The Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission is a kinetic impactor experiment to demonstrate asteroid impact hazard mitigation by deflecting an asteroid. AIDA is an international cooperation between NASA and ESA, consisting of two mission elements: the NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and the ESA Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) rendezvous mission. The primary goals of AIDA are (i) to demonstrate the kinetic impact technique on a potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroid and (ii) to measure and characterize the deflection caused by the impact. The AIDA target will be the binary asteroid (65803) Didymos, with the deflection experiment to occur in September, 2022. The DART impact on the secondary member of the binary at ~7 km/s will alter the binary orbit period, which can be measured by Earth-based observatories. The AIM spacecraft will characterize the asteroid target and monitor results of the impact in situ at Didymos. AIDA will return fundamental new information on the mechanical response and impact cratering process at real asteroid scales, and consequently on the collisional evolution of asteroids with implications for planetary defence, human spaceflight, and near-Earth object science and resource utilization. AIDA will return unique information on an asteroids strength, surface physical properties and internal structure. Supporting Earth-based optical and radar observations, numerical simulation studies and laboratory experiments will be an integral part of AIDA.

Design of the optical communication system for the asteroid impact mission

The Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) is part of the joint Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) project of ESA, DLR, Observatoire de la Côte d´Azur, NASA, and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL).

The asteroid impact mission: testing laser communication in deep-space

In October 2022 the binary asteroid system 65803 Didymos will have an exceptionally close approach with the Earth flying by within only 0.088 AU. ESA is planning to leverage on this close encounter to launch a small mission of opportunity called Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) to explore and demonstrate new technologies for future science and exploration missions while addressing planetary defence and performing asteroid scientific investigations.

ESA GNC technologies for asteroid characterization, sample-return, and deflection missions

ESA has been developing on-board Guidance, Navigation, and Control technologies for characterization, sample-return, and deflection missions to asteroids and comets (Rosetta, Don-Quijote, Marco-Polo, AIM). GNC systems have been prototyped for all mission phases, from early detection until landing. The GNC technologies are based on vision-based navigation hybridized with other sensors. This paper provides an overview of the ESA activities and results in its effort to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for GNC systems on those complex missions.

Optimizing low-thrust gravity assist interplanetary trajectories using evolutionary neurocontrollers

The combination of low-thrust propulsion and gravity assists allows designing high-energy missions. However the optimization of such trajectories is no trivial task. In this paper, we present a novel method that is based on evolutionary neurocontrollers. The main advantage of using a neurocontroller is the generation of a control law with a limited number of decision variables. On the other hand the evolutionary algorithm allows to look for globally optimal solutions more efficiently than a systematic search. In addition, a steepest ascent algorithm is introduced that acts as a navigator during the planetary encounter, providing the neurocontroller with the optimal insertion parameters. Results are presented for a Mercury rendezvous with a Venus gravity assist and for a Pluto flyby with a Jupiter gravity assist.