Doctoral defence: Aditya Savio Paul "Advancing the study of small solar system bodies through multi-agent mapping and characterization"

On 4 September at 14:00 Aditya Savio Paul will defend his doctoral thesis „Advancing the study of small solar system bodies through multi-agent mapping and characterization" for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Physics).

Supervisor:

Associate Professor Mihkel Pajusalu, University of Tartu

Opponent:

Assistant Professor Bart Root, Delft University of Technology (Netherlands)

Summary

The cosmos is filled with numerous celestial bodies that have intrigued humanity for ages. Besides large bodies like the Sun and planets, smaller bodies called asteroids and comets also exist, which have provided clues regarding our solar system’s history and formation. Asteroids are rocky fragments that could not coalesce into planets and primarily orbit in the asteroid belt between orbits of Mars and Jupiter, while some, known as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), come much closer to Earth. Comets are icy bodies originating from colder outer regions of the solar system, mainly in the Kuiper Belt and Öpik-Oort Cloud.

Studying these bodies can be challenging due to their low gravity, irregular shapes, and complex dynamics. Moreover, their study has also revealed the dynamism and chaotic nature of the celestial space. This thesis is based on the ideology that small body study can be advanced using multiple exploring agents, to be able to efficiently map and characterize them. 3 vital studies are presented. First, incrementally smoother in-orbit maneuvers can be performed by the spacecraft while acquiring a fine-grained gravity field model as compared to remote measurements. The approach is akin to multi-point measurements within the body’s orbit. Second, a mission profile defined as Comet Interceptor is studied to elucidate on a multi-agent mission to intercept a comet, whose properties have not yet been altered by our Sun. The mission aims to survey the pristine (potentially interstellar) small body, understand its activities and produce 3D models of its nucleus observed by multiple spacecraft. Third, by observing a small body from optimal spatial locations, higher coverage is ensured which can produce more informed surface models of the target body.

This data can be used in neural models to enhance the 3D surface reconstruction. The research contributes to the scientific objectives of the Comet Interceptor mission, for which Tartu Observatory is developing the OPIC instrument. Overall, the thesis aims to support mission designs to explore small bodies, support planetary defense endeavors, and better understand small body dynamics.

The defence can also be followed via Zoom.