New image processing algorithm for terminal guidance of multiple kinetic-energy impactors for disrupting hazardous asteroids

This paper describes the preliminary study results of developing a hypervelocity terminal intercept guidance system of a multiple kinetic-energy impactor vehicle (MKIV). The proposed MKIV system is intended to fragment or pulverize an asteroid of smaller than approximately 150 m in diameter that is detected with a mission lead time of shorter than 10 years, without using nuclear explosive devices. This paper focuses on the development of a new image processing algorithm based on Otsu’s method for the coordinated terminal intercept guidance and control of multiple kinetic-energy impactors employing visual and/or infrared sensors. A scaled polyhedron shape model of asteroid (216) Kleopatra is used as a fictional target asteroid. GPU-based simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of impacting a small irregular-shaped asteroid by using the proposed new image processing algorithm and a classical pulsed TPN (true proportional navigation) terminal guidance law.