Interplanetary Trajectory options for missions to Uranus and Neptune, launching between 2025 and 2037, are presented. Trajectories using Chemical Propulsion, Solar Electric Propulsion and Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Electric Propulsion, with up to four planetary flybys are investigated. The effect of different launch vehicles with or without an optimal kick stage, on flight time, inserted mass and propellant throughput, is quantified. To enable simultaneous exploration of both planets, dual-spacecraft trajectories that deliver one spacecraft to each planet from a single launch, are presented. Attractive trajectories and mission opportunities for different multi-element mission architectures are presented.
Interplanetary Trajectories for Ice Giant Mission Concepts
AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting ; 2017 ; San Antonio, TX, United States
2017-02-05
Conference paper
No indication
English
Springer Verlag | 2024
|Interplanetary Mission Planning
NTIS | 1971
Interplanetary mission planning
NTRS | 1971