PROJECT SUMMARY: Modular Asteroid Deflection Mission Ejector Node (MADMEN)

SEI performed a feasibility analysis for a rapid and scalable solution to the planetary defense problem consisting of hundreds or thousands of small, nearly identical spacecraft that will intercept the target body and conduct mass driver/ejector operations to perturb the target body's trajectory to the point where an impact with Earth can be avoided. In the nominal configuration, each spacecraft will be independently controlled and powered, but will work in loose coordination with other members of the network.

Referred to as Modular Asteroid Deflection Mission Ejector Node (MADMEN), such spacecraft could conceivably be nuclear powered, pre-deployed outside of low earth orbit (likely at an Earth-Moon or Earth-Sun libration point), and be capable of using chemical propulsive boost to rapidly intercept an incoming target. Upon arrival at the target, each MADMEN spacecraft will begin to eject small amounts of mass from the asteroid that will, over time, have the effect to slightly change the heliocentric orbit of the target so that Earth impact is avoided. This modular approach can offer a number of unique mission advantages including: overall mission reliability through massive redundancy, faster production capability due to use of existing spacecraft bus production capability, efficiencies-of-scale of the MADMEN spacecraft during production, flexible and practical launch and transfer to an on-orbit pre-deployment location, a tailorable response depending on the size and nature of the incoming threat, and the production of only small particles of ejecta that will not independently survive Earth atmospheric entry.

More information can be found in the document archive. A press release is also avaiable. Additional images are avaiable in the gallery section of the website.