Abstract The idea of an “Outer solar system probe: to be aimed away from the Sun in the plane of the ecliptic” dates from a report of the “Simpson Committee” of the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences in March of 1960. After many studies and name changes, what is now known as “Interstellar Probe” has matured as a concept for making new discoveries that can be made in no other way, by going places yet to be explored. The central technical question has always been propulsion with “near-future” capabilities taken as the backdrop for defining the mission requirements. However, the real issue has always been to unite compelling science with engineering and technical reality. With that perspective in mind the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has been tasked by the NASA Heliophysics Division to (re-)study the mission and provide a Technical Report to be delivered late 2021 for input to next Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey. This “pragmatic Interstellar Probe” of the study is a mission through the outer heliosphere and to the nearby “Very Local” interstellar medium (VLISM), uses today's technology to take the first explicit step on the path of interstellar exploration, and can pave the way, scientifically, technically, and programmatically for more ambitious future journeys (and more ambitious science goals). To enforce these goals broadly-based engineering requirements include (1) readiness to launch no later than January 1, 2030; (2) capability to transmit useful scientific data from 1000 au; (3) powered by no more than 600 W (electric) at the beginning of the mission and no more than half of that at mission's end; and, (4) lifetime of no less than 50 years. To travel as far and as fast as possible with available technology, the use of the Space Launch System Block 2 (SLS B2) cargo version is enabling: carrying the spacecraft as well as a 3rd and 4th stage, solar system escape speeds of at least twice that of Voyager 1 (i.e., up to 7.2 au/yr) should be possible. We provide a top-level summary of work accomplished to date, focusing on how the science goals drive and are affected by telecommunication options, guidance and control requirements, trajectory options, and the baseline system architecture and approach. “It isn't about where we are going. It's about the journey out there."

    Highlights An “Interstellar Probe” has been discussed in depth for almost 60 years. The results of a four-year long engineering, science, instrumentation, and implementation trade study for NASA are summarized. “Best” solutions are assessed and compared. Over 100 mission approaches using NASA's large new SLS super heavy-lift launch vehicle are quantified and assessed. Implementation costs are estimated and an example cost-loaded implementation schedule is published for an example mission.


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    Titel :

    Interstellar probe – Destination: Universe!



    Erschienen in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 196 ; 13-28


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2022-04-01


    Format / Umfang :

    16 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch


    Schlagwörter :

    Interstellar probe , Interstellar medium , Voyager , New horizons , Oberth maneuver , anomalous cosmic rays , (ACRs) , American Astronomical Society , (AAS) , Astronomical Unit , (au) , beginning of mission , (BOM) , Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension , (BOLE) , Division for Planetary Sciences , (DPS) , Deep Space Network , (DSN) , extragalactic background light , (EBL) , extremely low frequency , (ELF) , energetic neutral atoms , (ENAs) , end of mission , (EOM) , galactic cosmic rays , (GCRs) , General Purpose Heat Source-Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators , (GPHS-RTGs) , HGA , (high-gain antenna) , International Astronautical Congress , (IAC) , Interstellar Boundary Explorer , (IBEX) , Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe , (IMAP) , International Standards Organization , (ISO) , Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , (APL) , Low Earth Orbit , (LEO) , Master Equipment List , (MEL) , metal carbide on carbon , (MC/C) , Multi Hundred Watt - Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator , (MHW-RTG) , Marshall Space Flight Center , (MSFC) , National Archives and Records Administration , (NARA) , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , (NASA) , NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive , (NSSDCA) , nuclear electric propulsion , (NEP) , Planetary Data System , (PDS) , Parker Solar Probe , (PSP) , parsec , (pc) , radioisotope power supplies , (RPSs) , Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator , (RTG) , Science and Technology Definition Team , (SDT) , super heavy-lift launch vehicle , (SHLLV) , Space Launch System , (SLS) , solar Oberth maneuver , (SOM) , Technology Readiness Level , (TRL) , Thermal Protection System , (TPS) , termination shock , (TS) , Thermal Structure Assembly , (TSA) , ultra-high temperature , (UHT) , Very Local Interstellar Medium , (VLISM)



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