Neo interaction with nuclear radiation

This paper investigates one of several possible means of deflection of a large near-Earth object (NEO) on a potential collision course with Earth by means of modest velocity changes ( ΔV ≈ 1–200 cm/s) applied to the NEO at perihelion. Given the present uncertainty in the geometry, topography and materials properties of the asteroids and/or comets, a deflection mechanism is required which is relatively insensitive to such details. Stand-off nuclear devices present an option to fulfill this criterion. Momentum can be transferred by several mechanisms: directly by means of the kinetic energy of the debris or, more efficiently, by ablation resulting from the absorption of X-rays. Thermonuclear devices additionally produce high energy neutrons. Using approximate models of the various types of NEO materials and tabulations from the literature, we construct effective X-ray and neutron mass absorption coefficients. The latter are incorporated into a simple model to calculate the impulse, and hence the velocity change imparted by the various nuclear products to all the NEO materials models.