Neptune Orbiter with Probes

1
Neptune Orbiter with Probes

• Enabling or Enhancing Technologies
• Aerocapture systems and software
• Sensors and actuators
• Aerothermodynamics codes
• Thermal protection system (TPS) materials
• Validated aeroshell geometries
• Aeroshell ground test facilities
• Autonomous guidance, navigation, and control
  software, including orbit propagation
• Aerocapture technology flight demonstration
  ST-9?
• Advanced Radioisotope Power Sources (RPS)
• Entry probe systems TPS, pressure vessels,
  instruments
• Mission Description
• Gravity assists, possibly with SEP, to Neptune in
  lt13 years
• Some trajectories as little as 8 years (JGA,
  JSGA)
• Rigid aeroshell or ballute aerocapture, ?V gt 5
  km/s
• 2002 study by NASA Aerocapture Systems Analysis
  Team
• Aeroshell mission study in progress
• Triton gravity assists yield a Cassini-like tour
  of the system

03 SSE Survey 02 SEC Roadmap high- priority
long-term mission (after 2013) NASA Vision
Mission

• Science Objectives
• Orbit Neptune, visit all major parts of the
  Neptune system
• Cassini-like investigation of the Neptune system
• Neptune magnetosphere, atmosphere, interior,
  fields includes at least two entry probes to
  different latitudes, 200-bar level
• Many Triton close(lt1000 km) flybys/gravity
  assists
• Possible Nereid flyby upon approach
• Rings small inner satellites
• Significant orbit evolution over mission
  lifetime 3-year Tour, inclinations up to 80
  deg

Thomas R. Spilker / Andrew P. Ingersoll
2004/11/16