Near-term strategies to rendezvous with an interstellar object

Chasing nomadic worlds: A new class of deep space missions

“…While this choice of 𝐷 𝑖 ∼ 𝐷 ISO constitutes an idealization to some degree, it might not be unreasonable provided that the detection occurs at distances ≳ 𝐷 ISO when the ISO is inbound into the Solar system and the spacecraft is designed and equipped beforehand for a quick launch thereafter [refer to 121, Section 5.5.4]. Plausible mission architectures to intercept ISOs of sizes ≲ 1-10 km based on different wait times, orbital maneuvers, and propulsion methods have been formulated by many authors [122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137].…”

“…Although NEP currently possesses some limitations -for example, some of its subsystems apparently involve technologically immature components [220] -in the long term, this propulsion scheme ought to be rendered viable [221,222], 15 given that this technology is already assigned TRL-5 as per some sources [223,224]. Even in the near term, this propulsion system might enable rendezvous missions to ISOs at relatively close distances of ≲ 100 AU [137].…”