A Solar-Powered Enceladus Mission
Abstract
We present the results of a concept design study for a New Frontiers or small Flagship-class mission to Enceladus, using solar power. By concentrating on the science objectives most critical for a Cassini follow- on, this mission maximizes science return while maintaining a power consumption level that can be provided by a practical practical solar power system. The optimized instrument payload is the product of a broad science community-based Science Definition Team study. The spacecraft and mission designs are the products of studies carried out by the GSFC Mission Design Lab and Ball Aerospace. In addition to the low insolation at Enceladus, its location deep in Saturn's gravity well makes it a challenging target to reach, meaning that careful consideration must be given to spacecraft mass and the potential mission types. This presentation summarizes the mission science objectives and payload, the dynamical work, and the notional operations plan of this mission.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUFM.P23B1364S
- Keywords:
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- 5418 Heat flow;
- 5430 Interiors (8147);
- 5455 Origin and evolution;
- 6280 Saturnian satellites;
- 6299 General or miscellaneous