An Anchored Electric Propulsion Tug: Five Years of Low Thrust on a 210-Metre Asteroid

This paper computes an anchored electric tug delivering 2.2 N at a specific impulse of 3,400 s to a 210 m asteroid of mass 11,152,811,000 kg, supplied with 45 kW of electrical power. The acceleration of 1.97e-10 m per second squared, sustained for 5.5 years, delivers 34.2 mm per second against a requirement of 22.6 mm per second for a 10,000 km displacement with ten years of warning, a margin ratio of 1.51, a computed separation of 15,126 km, and a propellant consumption of 11,452 kg. This is a computed study of a deflection system for planetary defence, with no targeting or weapon application. It is simulated, not measured.