Engineering:Innovative Interstellar Explorer
Innovative Interstellar Explorer was a NASA "Vision Mission" study funded by NASA following a proposal under NRA-03-OSS-01 on 11 September 2003. This study focused on measuring the interstellar medium, the region outside the influence of the nearest star, the Sun.[1] It proposes to use a radioisotope thermal generator to power ion thrusters.[1]
The project is a study of a proposed interstellar precursor mission that would probe the nearby interstellar medium and measure the properties of magnetic fields and cosmic rays and their effects on a spacecraft leaving the Solar System.[2] Mission launch plans analyzed direct, one planet, multi-planet, and upper-stage trades.[3] As a concept study, a number of technologies, configurations, and mission goals were considered, leading to the choice of a spacecraft propelled with ion engines powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG).[4] The focus was getting a spacecraft launched by about 2014, achieving 200 AU by the year 2031.[5]
A variety of strategies were assessed, including using launch windows (not counting backups) for a Jupiter assist in 2014, 2026, 2038, and 2050—about every 12 years.[3] The launch opportunity for the 2014 window passed,[6] but for example it could have resulted in a Jupiter flyby by early 2016 and then go on to reach 200 astronomical units (AU) by 2044.[3][2] With an ion drive, a speed of about 7.9 AU per year could be attained by the time its xenon propellant was depleted, enabling a travel distance of 200 AU by 2044 and perhaps 1000 AU after one hundred years from launch.[3] Different launch times and configurations have various timelines and options.[3] One configuration for launch saw the use of a Delta IV Heavy and for the upper stages a stack of Star 48 and Star 37 leading to various gravity assist options.[4] Another launch stack that was considered was the Atlas V 551 with a Star 48.[4]
In 2011, the study's primary author gave an update to website Centauri Dreams, giving a retrospective on the mission and its feasibility since its publication in 2003.[7] By that time, some of earliest launch windows were no longer feasible without a ready spacecraft.[7] Some retrospectives were the advantages and potential of solar sails, but the need for them to be more advanced for a mission, and also the utility of a radioisotope propulsion (REP) for such a mission.[7] REP was the combination of using an RTG to power an ion drive.[7]
See also
- Applied Physics Laboratory
- Interstellar probe
- New Horizons 2
- New Horizons (Pluto flyby 2015, now heading out to KBOs)
- TAU (spacecraft)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 NASA. "Innovative Interstellar Probe". http://interstellarexplorer.jhuapl.edu/mission/implementation.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 David, Leonard (July 6, 2005). "Voyage to the Stars: NASA Study Mulls Options". Space.com. http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/050706_star_voyage.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 NASA. "Innovative Interstellar Probe: Mission Design Requirements". http://interstellarexplorer.jhuapl.edu/mission/mission_design_req.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Innovative Interstellar Explorer Feb 2006 slides
- ↑ Innovative interstellar explorer 7 pages
- ↑ Gilster, Paul (December 20, 2011). "Update on Innovative Interstellar Explorer". http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=21050.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Update on Innovative Interstellar Explorer" (in en-US). Centauri Dreams. 2011-12-20. http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=21050.
External links
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