By combining the advanced technologies of constant-thrust propulsion and space tethers in a planetary mission, it may be feasible to perform a complete radial and azimuthal survey of the Saturnian ring system from close range (about 10 km) in a period of some 300 days. Constant-thrust propulsion would provide the means of 'hovering' above the rings while simultaneously spiraling radially inward toward Saturn. Use of a tethered sub-satellite at a distance of 500-1000 km from the main spacecraft would permit an instrumented package to achieve a significant azimuthal angular rate relative to the rings. Exhaustive 360 deg azimuthal mapping at one or two selected distances from Saturn could be performed in a few tens of days.
Saturn ring rendezvous mission utilizing a tethered sub-satellite
AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference 1989 ; 1989 ; Stowe, VT, United States
01.01.1990
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Snags hit tethered satellite mission
NTRS | 1993
|Saturn C-5 flight profile for rendezvous
Engineering Index Backfile | 1962
|