Planetary missions using microspacecraft technology
Abstract
Some of the planetary missions using microspacecraft of mass on the order of 10 kg which are presently being considered at JPL are discussed. The primary benefits offered by this type of spacecraft is the small and relatively inexpensive launch vehicles and short program development schedules. A mission presently considered by the Asteroid Investigation with Microspacecraft (AIM) study is described with special attention given to the spacecraft configuration; the AIM mission will launch three spacecraft from a single Pegasus vehicle, achieving separate flybys for three near-earth asteroids. Attention is also given to the salient features of the Mars Rover Sample Return mission, the Venus Atmospheric Sounder, and the Comet Nucleus Mission, for which the application of microspacecraft technology is considered.
- Publication:
-
Washington, DC International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- August 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992wadc.iafcSV...S
- Keywords:
-
- Flight Tests;
- Interplanetary Spacecraft;
- Miniaturization;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Trend Analysis;
- Comet Nuclei;
- Defense Program;
- Earth Orbits;
- Manned Mars Missions;
- Spacecraft Power Supplies;
- Structural Weight;
- Venus Atmosphere;
- Astronautics (General)