Launched in 1989, the Galileo mission added dramatically to our understanding of the Jovian system and our entire solar system1. To make best use of limited resources, the Galileo Orbiter used excess power from its Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for temperature management of its Retro-Propulsion Module (RPM). This paper describes operational challenges introduced by this design and how, despite major mission changes through development and flight, they were overcome through a challenging six-year interplanetary cruise to Jupiter. This case study offers lessons for missions planning to couple critical spacecraft subsystems in unconventional ways.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Design Lessons Learned from Temperature Management of Galileo's Retro-Propulsion Module


    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






    Thermal design of the Galileo bus and Retro Propulsion Module

    AVILA, A. / CAGLE, C. / LEDEBOER, W. et al. | AIAA | 1989


    Incorporating Lessons Learned in Spacecraft Propulsion Design

    Hearn, H. C. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / Society of Automotive Engineers et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997