AbstractFor more than 20 years, an “Interstellar Precursor Mission” has been discussed as a high-priority mission for multiple scientific objectives. The chief difficulty with actually carrying out such a mission is the need for reaching significant penetration into the interstellar medium (∼1000 Astronomical Units (AU)) within the working lifetime of the initiators (<50 years). While there has been much speculation on various aspects of such a mission, we have systematically considered all of the components required, using realistic extrapolations of current and near-current technology. To provide a first-order cut at many of the engineering realities associated with such a mission, we consider a probe that can be launched with available vehicles and infrastructure. To implement the mission, we have revisited an old idea: the probe and a perihelion carrier are launched initially to Jupiter as a combined package and then fall to the Sun where a large propulsive maneuver propels the package on a high-energy, ballistic escape trajectory from the solar system. Outbound in deep space, the two separate, and the probe takes data with its onboard instruments and autonomously downlinks the data to Earth at regular intervals. The implementation requires a low-mass, highly-integrated spacecraft. Engineering issues separate into (1) the systems constraints imposed on the perihelion package by the combination of the propulsion system, carrying the needed propellant into perihelion, and the associated thermal and mechanical constraints, and (2) the requirements of power, autonomous operations, and data downlink from the probe itself. System trades define the minimum mass and power required for such a probe. We find that many of the requirements for a low-mass probe that operates autonomously for this mission are common for either this propulsion concept or more advanced low-thrust concepts, e.g., solar sails and ion propulsion. We describe an implementation, including science instrumentation and measurement goals, structure and thermal system, communications, avionics, propulsion, guidance and control, power, and architecture that could make such a mission into reality. We also describe some of the technology thrusts and developments that are required in order to begin such a mission in the next twenty-five years.


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    Title :

    A realistic interstellar explorer


    Contributors:
    McNutt, R.L Jr. (author) / Andrews, G.B (author) / Gold, R.E (author) / Bokulic, R.S (author) / Boone, B.G (author) / Haley, D.R (author) / McAdams, J.V (author) / Williams, B.D (author) / Boyle, M.P (author) / Starstrom, G (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 34 , 1 ; 192-197


    Publication date :

    2003-03-14


    Size :

    6 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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