2008/09/15 by Bernhard W. Adams, Adams, Bernhard W.
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Astro and Planetary Science #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det) #Planetary Science and Exploration #Space Physics (physics.space-ph) #physics.ins-det #physics.space-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0809.2616
arxiv created 2008/09/15 · openalex publication_date 2008/09/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Deflecting an asteroid from an Earth impact trajectory requires only small velocity changes, typically of the order of microns per second, if done many years ahead of time. For this, a highly precise method of determining the need, magnitude, and direction of a deflection is required. Although the required precision can be achieved by much less accurate extended observations, an intrinsic resolution of μm/s permits the live monitoring of nongravitational orbital perturbations (Yarkovsky effect), and of a deflection effort itself. Here, it is proposed to deploy on the asteroid's surface multiple radio units to form a phased array capable of measuring radial velocities relative to Earth to about 1 μm/s and ranges to 5 m. The same technology can also be used for scientific applications such as very-long baseline radio astronomy, milli-Hertz gravitational wave detection, or mapping of the solar wind.