Miniaturized Gravity Gradiometer for Asteroid Mass Determination via Close Fly-By

We propose the development of a miniaturized gravity gradiometer for asteroid mass determination via close fly-by, leveraging deep-space flight heritage from the LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission and combining two free-falling tungsten test masses with a laser ranging interferometer (LRI) to achieve gravity gradient sensitivity sufficient to survey a meaningful fraction of the accessible NEO population from a compact, self-contained instrument package. In partnership with the University of Florida, this IRAD will develop a comprehensive instrument error budget, conduct mission profile trade studies, and use the resulting preliminary instrument architecture as input to a focused point design study. The ultimate infusion target is a future directed or competed rapid NEO reconnaissance mission under the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), directly responsive to the TRaHP Strategic Focus Area Pillar 3 call for novel mass-measuring approaches for an asteroid fly-by mission.

Comprehensive instrument error budget; mission profile trade studies; preliminary instrument architecture for compact gravity gradiometer using free-falling tungsten test masses and laser ranging interferometry; sensitivity sufficient to survey a meaningful fraction of accessible NEO population.

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