Ballistic trajectories are computed which would enable a sample return mission to Titan or Enceladus without capturing, descending, or landing. The low-cost mission concept utilizes a free return trajectory that also involves a close flyby of the moon. This work extends the concept, and related trajectory analysis methodology, previously applied to a Europa mission. Specifically, a broad search algorithm is employed to systematically locate potentially feasible itineraries over an entire Saturn period. High-quality approximate solutions are then optimized to be continuous using high-fidelity dynamics. Techniques and software from the Europa analysis, were readily adapted and able to find numerous mission enabling trajectories. A direct mission to Titan is possible with flight time under 16 years and Earth-relative speeds below 11.0 km/sec. The VEEGA option is shown to substantially reduce launch C3, but flight times exceed 21 years. Unfortunately, an Enceladus mission requires a flight time of 25 years or more, and incurs fairly high relative speeds. Nevertheless, an optimized reference mission is computed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Trajectories for Flyby Sample Return at Saturn's Moons


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference ; 2016 ; Long Beach, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    2016-09-12


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    TRAJECTORIES FOR FLYBY SAMPLE RETURN AT SATURN'S MOONS

    Jones, Drew Ryan | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016



    TRAJECTORIES FOR EUROPA FLYBY SAMPLE RETURN

    Jones, Drew Ryan | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2016