Answering fundamental questions about ring particle characteristics, and individual and group behavior, appears to require close-proximity (a few km) observations. Saturn's magnificent example of a ring system offers a full range of particle sizes, densities, and behaviors for study, so it is a natural choice for such detailed investigation. Missions implementing these observations require post-approach Delta(V) of approximately 10 km/s or more, so past mission concepts called upon Nuclear Electric Propulsion. The concept described here reduces the propulsive Delta(V) requirement to as little as 3.5 km/s, difficult but not impossible for high-performance chemical propulsion systems. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
Saturn Ring Observer
2001-01-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
|NTRS | 2000
|Online Contents | 2003
|Saturn Ring Observer Concept Architecture Options
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2011
|Saturn Ring Observer Concept Architecture Options
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010
|