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Now, before you ask, "What in the world is Fredinno even talking about?" Let me explain to you what a Vulcanoid Asteroid is: A Vulcanoid is a Asteroid group that is theorized to exist between 0.08-0.21 AU from the Sun- a dynamically stable zone around the Sun, its inner limit being where the Sun's intense radiation does not de-stabilize the asteroid's rotation, and its outer limit being where Mercury's gravity would de-stabilize Asteroids. Despite not known to have any asteroids, it is thought to- Mercury's surface scars, and the existence of many Asteroids in other stable regions, such as the Asteroid Belt, Centaurs (a group of asteroids in between Jupiter and Saturn), and even Trojan (L4 and L5) points are indications that the Vulcanoid Zone is likely scattered with Asteroids. However, finding and studying them is difficult due to the fact that they can only be observed currently during eclipses, where the Sun's glare is cancelled out- though we have determined an upper limit to their mass. Studying these objects would reveal information about the inner-most zone of the Early Solar System's "accretion disk" during its formation- which is relatively unknown, and is thought to be more concentrated in metals than the other regions of the disk. Additionally, such as mission is proven to be possible by using a powerful sun-shield, as Solar Probe Plus, slated for launch in 2018 on a Delta IV Heavy, will be inserted into an orbit that is at approx. 0.3 AU, or the innermost edge of the Vulcanoid Zone. However, such a mission requires a LOT of Delta-V, as indicated by the fact Solar Probe Plus will make 7 gravity assist flybys of Venus for the 610 kg probe to reach its intended orbit. However, keep in mind this probe is only within the Vulcanoid Zone for part of its orbit, meaning Delta-Vs will be even higher than for Solar Probe Plus. Jupiter Gravity assists + SLS are recommended. For this thought experiment, the total Delta-V requirement is 34.95 km/s, or 20km/s higher than Mercury Transfer. The Vulcanian Asteroid is about the size (mass) of Phobos, and is an M-type Asteroid 0.19 AU from the Sun. Good luck!
