Dual-Use Propulsive Hypersonic Trajectories of Super-Heavy Launch Vehicles: Precision Kinetic Impact and Non-Nuclear Planetary Defense

Abstract

Traditional kinetic bombardment concepts face signifi-cant payload mass limitations due to orbital mechan-ics constraints. This paper proposes a novel theo-retical framework utilizing super-heavy launch vehicles(SHLVs), such as SpaceX’s Starship architecture, func-tioning as powered kinetic impactors for both terres-trial applications and deep-space planetary defense. Byleveraging the vehicle’s inherent Thermal ProtectionSystem (TPS) and active retro-propulsion capabilities,we demonstrate achievable terminal velocities exceedingMach 25 (8,500 m/s) with impact masses approaching300 metric tons. For planetary defense, this high-mass,high-velocity profile presents an optimal non-nuclear so-lution for near-Earth object (NEO) deflection via mo-mentum transfer, achieving up to ∼ 103× greater im-pulse than current probe-based systems.We calculatespecific kinetic energy profiles (Ek ∼ 1013 J per im-pact),analyze thermal protection requirements againstatmospheric plasma heating, and evaluate strategic im-plications including compliance with the Outer SpaceTreaty. The framework establishes SHLVs as a class ofdual-use aerospace technology capable of rapid globalstrike deployment while simultaneously providing hu-manity with a scalable shield against catastrophic as-teroid impacts