Interstellar Object Uncertainty Evolution and Effect on Fast Flyby Delivery and Required Delta-V

Interstellar objects (ISOs) are small bodies that travel through our solar system from other star systems. Their presence in our solar system provides an opportunity to study the properties and origins of these objects, as well as the potential for cross-pollination of material between star systems. With current propulsion technology, rendezvous with these objects is likely infeasible, and thus the maximum science return results from a rapid response flyby and impactor. However, while trajectories to ISOs may be feasible, their high ephemeris uncertainties and high speed hyperbolic orbits present unique challenges to navigation. In this paper we assess this challenge by modeling versus time the ephemeris uncertainties of reachable synthetic ISOs, as measured from ground observatories and an approaching spacecraft. From these uncertainties we derive the final delivery accuracy of the spacecraft to the ISO, and required statistical delta-v for navigation.