Saturn remains one of the most fascinating planets within the solar system. To better understand the complex ring structure of this planet, a conceptual Saturn Ring Observer (SRO) mission is presented that would spend one year in close proximity to Saturn’s A and B rings, and perform detailed observations and measurements of the ring particles and electric and magnetic fields. The primary objective of the mission would be to understand ring dynamics, including the microphysics of individual particles and small scale (meters to a few kilometers) phenomena such as particle agglomeration behavior. This would be accomplished by multispectral imaging of the rings at multiple key locations within the A and B rings, and by ring‐particle imaging at an unprecedented resolution of 0.5 cm/pixel. The SRO spacecraft would use a Venus‐Earth‐Earth‐Jupiter Gravity Assist (VEEJGA) and be aerocaptured into Saturn orbit using an advanced aeroshell design to minimize propellant mass. Once in orbit, the SRO would stand off from the ring plane 1 to 1.4 km using chemical thrusters to provide short propulsive maneuvers four times per revolution, effectively causing the SRO vehicle to “hop” above the ring plane. The conceptual SRO spacecraft would be enabled by the use of a new generation of multi‐mission Radioisotope Power Systems (RPSs) currently being developed by NASA and DOE. These RPSs include the Multi‐Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) and Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG). The RPSs would generate all necessary electrical power (⩾330 We at beginning of life) during the 10‐year cruise and 1‐year science mission (∼11 years total). The RPS heat would be used to maintain the vehicle’s operating and survival temperatures, minimizing the need for electrical heaters. Such a mission could potentially launch in the 2015–2020 timeframe, with operations at Saturn commencing in approximately 2030.
A Saturn Ring Observer Mission Using Multi‐Mission Radioisotope Power Systems
SPACE TECH.& APPLIC.INT.FORUM-STAIF 2006: 10th Conf Thermophys Applic Microgravity; 23rd Symp Space Nucl Pwr & Propulsion; 4th Conf Human/Robotic Tech & Nat'l Vision for Space Explor.; 4th Symp Space Coloniz.; 3rd Symp on New Frontiers & Future Concepts ; 2006 ; Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 813 , 1 ; 155-162
2006-01-20
8 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
A Saturn Ring Observer Mission Using Multi-Mission Radioisotope Power Systems
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006
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