Since 2004, the Cassini spacecraft has flown by Titan and other Saturn moons numerous times, successfully accomplishing its 100th targeted encounter of Titan in March 2014. The navigation of Cassini is challenging, even more so with "double flybys," two encounters separated by at most a few days. Because of this tight spacing, there is not enough time for a maneuver in between. Additionally, maneuvers prior to a double flyby only target one of the two encounters. This paper discusses the challenges faced by the Cassini Navigation Team with each double flyby, as well as lessons learned during operational support of each dual encounter. The strengths and weaknesses of the targeting strategies considered for each double flyby are also detailed, by comparing downstream ?V costs and changes to the non-targeted flyby conditions.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The Double Flybys of the Cassini Mission: Navigation Challenges and Lessons Learned


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SpaceOps 2014, International Conference on Space Operations ; 2014 ; Pasadena, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    2014-05-05


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    The Double Flybys of the Cassini Mission: Navigation Challenges and Lessons Learned (AIAA 2014-1878)

    Wagner, S.V. / Buffington, B. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2014


    Operational thermal control of Cassini Titan flybys

    Millard, J. M. / Luan, T. W. | NTRS | 2003


    Operational Thermal Control of Cassini Titan Flybys

    Millard, Jerry M. / Luan, Taylor W. | SAE Technical Papers | 2003


    Operational thermal control of Cassini Titan flybys

    Millard, J. M. / Luan, T. W. | NTRS | 2003