Patrick Stakem

Exploration of the Asteroid Belt, a new approach. Patrick Stakem

This book discusses the exploration of Asteroid. This is very difficult, because of the millions of diverse targets to visit. The sizes range from dust particles to the dwarf planet Ceres. The area of the asteroid belt was searched by astronomers in the 18the century, based on the lack of a planet at a predicted orbit by the Titus Bode Law. Before the 1890's, astronomy depended on human observation through the telescope, and this was difficult with small objects, as compared to planets. In 1891, astro-photography began producing better results. This book will provide an overview and description of asteroid missions. It will then suggest the right approach to exploring the asteroid belt is with a large swarm of small spacecraft.