Opportunity options for rendezvous, flyby and sample return mission to different spectral-type asteroids for the 2015–2025

The feasible rendezvous, flyby and sample return mission scenario to different spectral-type asteroids for the 2015–2025 are investigated. The emphasis is put on the potential target selection and the design of preliminary interplanetary transfer trajectory in this paper. First, according to different scientific motivations, some potential targets with different spectral-type and physical property are selected. Then, some optimal rendezvous and sample return opportunities for different spectral-type asteroids are presented by using pork-chop plots method and Sequential Quadratic-Programming (SQP) algorithm. In order to reduce the launch energy and total velocity increments for sample return mission, the Earth swingby strategy is used. In addition, the feasible trajectory profiles of flyby and rendezvous with two different spectral-type asteroids in one mission are discussed. A hybrid optimization method combing the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm and SQP algorithm is introduced as a trajectory design method for the mission. Finally, some important parameters of transfer trajectory are analyzed, which would have a direct impact on the design of spacecraft subsystem, such as communication, power and thermal control subsystem.

► Feasible scenarios for different spectral-type asteroids are investigated.
► Some targets with different spectral-type and physical property are selected.
► Rendezvous and sample return opportunities for potential targets are presented.
► Feasible trajectories of mission with two spectral-type asteroids are discussed.
► Some important parameters of transfer trajectories are analyzed.