一种提升近地小行星防御中拦截效率的方法

利用核爆直接炸毁小行星或改变小行星的轨道以避免其与地球相撞,是近地小行星防御最主要的手段之一。文章基于美国爱荷华州立大学的超高速小行星拦截器(HAIV)概念,提出一种将原撞击引导器改为长杆撞击器的方案,采用自主研发的欧拉型冲击动力学仿真软件NTS模拟长杆撞击器对小行星连续开坑的过程,并在仿真中加入能量源以模拟核爆装置在不同深度爆炸对小行星产生的偏转与破坏效应。研究结果表明,采用长杆撞击器并合理控制撞击速度,能够引导核爆装置进入更深的地下爆炸,从而更加高效地耦合核爆能量,提升偏转小行星或直接摧毁小行星的能力。

A method to improve interception efficiency in the defense against near-Earth asteroids

Using the nuclear bomb explosion to directly destroy the asteroid or to change its orbit so as to avoid its impact on earth is one of the main methods in the defense against near earth orbit asteroids. Based on the concept of the hypervelocity asteroid interception vehicle (HAIV) developed by Iowa State University, this paper proposes a scheme of using a long rod impactor instead of the original impactor. The crater forming process of the long rod impactor impacting the asteroid is simulated by using the Euler type hydrocode NTS developed by us. The deflections and damages of the nuclear device exploded in various depths are simulated by adding an energy source into the simulation. The results show that by using the long rod impactor with a reasonable impact velocity, the nuclear device can be guided into a deeper place and exploded in the asteroid, thus the nuclear explosion energy can be more efficiently used, and the ability to deflect or destroy the asteroid can be enhanced.