Project Number: MH0410 HUMANITY IN SPACE An Interactive Qualifying Project Report submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by _____________________________________ Andrew J. Bangs _____________________________________ Heather L. Bolton _____________________________________ David A. Copeland-Will _____________________________________ Shaun M. Haerinck May 3, 2005 1. asteroid 2. laser 3. space _____________________________________ Professor Mayer Humi, Project Advisor 2 Abstract As a first step this IQP explored ancient cultures, space commercialization, and survival. We found that one of the greatest threats to humanity survival is near earth objects. Various ways were examined to divert these dangerous objects and we determined that the most feasible method is moon based lasers. A program was developed which calculates the amount of thrust required to redirect these asteroids. Based on these results, we propose the placement of four carbon dioxide lasers on the moon. 3 Table of Contents Abstract.......................................................................................................................................2 List of Figures.............................................................................................................................5 List of Tables ..............................................................................................................................6 Executive Summary...................................................................................................................7 Introductions ..............................................................................................................................9 Chapter One: Background of Ancient Civilizations...............................................................15 Celtic Astrology..................................................................................................16 Mayan Astrology................................................................................................17 Sumerian Astrology ...........................................................................................19 Aborigine Astrology...........................................................................................19 Indian Astronomy ..............................................................................................20 Eskimo Folklore .................................................................................................21 Egyptian Mythology...........................................................................................22 Greek Mythology ...............................................................................................23 Chapter Two: Commercialization of Space ............................................................................26 Commercial Applications..................................................................................28 Growing Crystals in Space................................................................................29 Global Positioning Systems ...............................................................................31 Solar Power Satellites ........................................................................................33 Chapter Three: Satellite Communication ...............................................................................36 Satellite Telephones ...........................................................................................37 Satellite Broadcasting ........................................................................................40 Chapter Four: Survival .............................................................................................................42 Biological Warfare.............................................................................................43 Plagues ................................................................................................................46 Natural Disasters................................................................................................47 Near Earth Objects............................................................................................50 Chapter Five: Background of Near Earth Objects.................................................................54 Asteroids .............................................................................................................55 Comets.................................................................................................................58 Chapter Six: Moon Base............................................................................................................61 Observation Post ................................................................................................63 The Funding Issue..............................................................................................67 4 Chapter Seven: Methods of Asteroid Diversion......................................................................70 Chemical and Electrical Propulsion.................................................................72 Thrust Calculations Based on NEAR Shoemaker ..........................................75 Solar Sails ...........................................................................................................77 Missiles................................................................................................................79 Nuclear Warheads .............................................................................................81 Lasers ..................................................................................................................83 Chapter Eight: MATLAB Simulation For Divergence of an Asteroid.................................90 Chapter Nine: Using Lasers to Divert Asteroids ....................................................................103 Introduction to Lasers .......................................................................................104 Laser Choice for Asteroid Diversion................................................................105 Laser Specifics....................................................................................................109 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................112 Resources ....................................................................................................................................117 Appendices..................................................................................................................................130 Appendix A.........................................................................................................130 Appendix B .........................................................................................................135 Appendix C.........................................................................................................136 Endnotes......................................................................................................................................137 5 List of Figures Figure 1: Specific Impulse versus Acceleration of Chemical and Electrical Propulsion Devices.............................................................................................................................74 Figure 2: Laser Coupling for 5ns Pulse Duration...................................................................84 Figure 3: Effect of Single Laser Pulse......................................................................................85 Figure 4: Post-Engagement Lifetime for an Orbital Debris Object With Zero Final Zenith Angle................................................................................................................................85 Figure 5: Orbital & Impulse Geometry...................................................................................88 Figure 6: Earth’s Distance from the Sun During the First 1,000 Days of the Simulation ..94 Figure 7: Earth’s Distance from the Sun Throughout the Entire Duration of the Simulation ..........................................................................................................................................95 Figure 8: Earth’s Orbit Around the Sun Throughout the Entire Duration of the Simulation ..........................................................................................................................................95 Figure 9: Orbit for the First 1,000 Days of Our Asteroid ......................................................96 Figure 10: Asteroid’s Distance from Sun.................................................................................96 Figure 11: Simulation of the Asteroid’s Orbit ........................................................................97 Figure 12: Absolute Distance Between the Asteroid and Earth ............................................97 Figure 13: Distance from Sun to Asteroid with Different Starting Position ........................98 Figure 14: Orbit of Asteroid with Different Starting Position ..............................................98 Figure 15: Distance Between the Earth and an Asteroid with Different Starting Position 99 Figure 16: Distance the Earth and Our Asteroid....................................................................99