Considerations for a Pragmatic Interstellar Probe Mission
Abstract
Recent advances in spacecraft technology and practical experience in operating missions in the outer heliosphere have shown that an Interstellar Probe launching in the 2030s can be accomplished. However, a pragmatic approach must be taken if such a mission is to be launched in the next decade, including the use wherever possible of existing or nearly mature technology. This philosophy imposes constraints on the design of an Interstellar Probe, especially in areas such as launch and trajectory to achieve high speed; communication from distances as high as 1000 AU; design of a long-lived, highly reliable spacecraft; and operations over as much as 50 years. In this paper, we will present results from an on-going trade study to demonstrate a set of feasible mission concepts that will provide access to the unexplored regions beyond the boundary of our Solar System.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AGUFMSH019..10K
- Keywords:
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- 2124 Heliopause and solar wind termination;
- INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS;
- 2126 Heliosphere/interstellar medium interactions;
- INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS;
- 2129 Interplanetary dust;
- INTERPLANETARY PHYSICS;
- 6224 Kuiper belt objects;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS