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Radioisotope Electric Propulsion: Enabling the Decadal Survey Science Goals for Primitive Bodies

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Radioisotope Electric Propulsion: Enabling the Decadal Survey Science Goals for Primitive Bodies Glenn Research Center Radioisotope Electric Propulsion: Enabling the Decadal Survey Science Goals for Primitive Bodies R. L. McNutt, Jr.1, R. E. Gold1, L. M. Prockter1, P. H. Ostdiek1, J. C. Leary1, D. I. Fielher2, S. R. Oleson3, and K. E. Witzberger3 1The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723, USA 2QSS Group, Inc., NASA Glenn Research Center21000 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44135, USA 3NASA Glenn Research Center21000 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44135, USA Space Technology and Applications 23nd Symposium on Space Nuclear International Forum (STAIF) Power and Propulsion Albuquerque, New Mexico C07. Electric Propulsion 12 - 16 February 2006 Systems/Concepts 14 February 2006 RLM - 1 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Glenn Research Center For Any Mission There Are Four Key Elements • Science the case for going • Technology the means to go • Strategy all agree to go • Programmatics money in place A well-thought-out systems approach incorporating all key elements is required to promote and accomplish a successful exploration plan 14 February 2006 RLM - 2 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Solar System Science Exploration is Glenn Research Center Guided by the Decadal Survey • There are two general issues regarding primitive bodies in the solar system: – What is the role of primitive bodies as building blocks of the solar system? – What is the role of primitive bodies as reservoirs of organic matter raw materials for for the origin of life? 14 February 2006 RLM - 3 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). PRIMITIVE BODIES AS BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM Glenn Research Center Fundamental Issues Important questions Where in the SS are the primitive bodies found, Are there Pluto-size and larger bodies beyond Neptune? and what range of sizes, compositions and other physical characteristics do they represent? What processes led to the formation of these · How do the compositions of Pluto-Charon and Triton relate to those of objects? Kuiper Belt objects? Since their formation, what processes have altered · What are the basic physical properties (mass, density, size) of Kuiper Belt the primitive bodies? objects,Centaurs, and comets? How did primitive bodies make planets? · What are the interior properties of all these bodies, and how do they differ from the surface compositions and properties? Are they differentiated? How have they affected the planets since the · What are the surface properties and compositions of these bodies, and how epoch of formation? do endogenous and exogenous processes affect them? · Do Pluto and/or large Kuiper Belt objects show internal activity, as Triton does? · What are the compositions of comet nuclei, and how do they relate to Kuiper Belt objects · What is the origin of the organic matter in carbonaceous meteorite parent bodies, and what are the parent bodies of the many different types? What organic materials occur in primitive bodies at various heliocentric distances? · What is the origin of hydrated minerals in the meteorite parent bodies, and what do fluid inclusions in meteorites tell us about conditions in the solar nebula and parent bodies? · What is the origin of micrometeorites? · What are the albedo and color statistics of Centaurs, Kuiper Belt objects, and comets? 14 February 2006 RLM - 4 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). PRIMITIVE BODIES AS RESERVOIRS OF ORGANIC MATTER RAW Glenn Research Center Fundamental Issues Important questions What is the composition, origin What is the composition and structure of primitive and primordial distribution of organic matter in the solar system? solid organic matter (OM) in the solar system? What is its present day Where and under what conditions did organic matter distribution? originate? What processes can be identified What are the relative fractions of organic matter in that create, destroy, and modify meteorites and comets that are interstellar and solar solid organic matter in the solar nebula in origin? nebula, in the epoch of the faint early Sun, and in the current Solar System? How did organic matter Was primitive organic matter racemic? influence the origin of life on Earth and other planets? Is organic matter similarly Is organic matter similarly distributed among distributed among primitive primitive bodies in other planetary systems? bodies in other planetary systems? 14 February 2006 RLM - 5 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). What are “Primitive Bodies”? Glenn Research Center • Neptunian satellites – Triton – Nereid • Kuiper Belt Objects – Charon – Quaoar – UB313 • Trojan Asteroids • Centaurs – Chiron – Pholus Neptunian satellites • Thousands of small objects • A long way off 14 February 2006 RLM - 6 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). How Do We Get There? Glenn Research Center The past: The future: PARIS Missions (Planetary Access with Radioisotope Ion-drive System) Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter - I2E - The improbable dream Innovative Interstellar explorer 14 February 2006 RLM - 7 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). REP Enables New Missions Glenn Research Center High efficiency power sources are the key to new and fundamental science, especially in the outer solar system, on reasonable timescales 14 February 2006 RLM - 8 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Fundamental Science Issues Glenn Research Center The NRC Space Studies Board Decadal Survey highlighted fundamental questions concerning primitive bodies: • What range of sizes, compositions, and other physical characteristics do primitive bodies represent? • How did they form? • What processes have altered them? • How are planets made from primitive bodies? • How have they affected planets since their formation (e.g., by impact cratering)? Cassini montage of Saturn’s “sponge” moon, Hyperion (NASA/JPL) 14 February 2006 RLM - 9 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Potential Missions Glenn Research Center • Joint teams of APL, GRC, JPL, USC, and other institutions have been exploring radioisotope powered missions • Two candidate missions are: – Jovian Trojan asteroid orbiter – Innovative Interstellar Explorer • Radioisotope-electric propulsion (REP) enables this new class of deep space missions • Mass and power constraints require power sources ≥ 6W/kg – Some missions require ≥ 8W/kg 14 February 2006 RLM - 10 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Glenn Research Center Answering the Science Questions is a “System of Systems” Problem DRIVERS Science Questions Probe Science Objectives Distance Objective Questions and time for the Science Measurement Objectives mission Required Instruments Instrument Resources and Requirements Return data Mission and Spacecraft Requirements Data Product Operate Analysis Product for required Science Result time 14 February 2006 RLM - 11 PUBLIC DOMAIN INFORMATION. NO LICENSE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITAR 120.11(8). Traceability Matrix Guides Glenn Research Center Concept Definition Science Questions PARIS Objectives Science Measurement Objectives Analysis Product Science Results Surface elemental abundances GRNS: Fe, Si, H, Global maps by element Comparison of elemental and Did the Trojans form in the Jovian environment K, U, Th, O. Mapping of ice abundance (?) Map the elemental and mineralogical mineralogical abundances with or were they formed in the Kuiper Belt and composition of the Trojans those predicted from solar transported inward? Spectral measurements of surface: MASCS nebula Spectral unit maps Visible and near-IR absorption bands Characterize presence and What can the Trojans tell us about primitive Composition of early solar distribution of organic molecules ??? MASCS, GRNS??? ??? organics, the building blocks of life? nebula (OM)s on Trojans Global monochrome imaging of impact craters to Monochrome high Average surface age; location determine cratering rate: MDIS resolution map of units of different age Determine collisional history Global shape from imaging; MDIS Global shape model Ties in gravity and topography models, helps elucidate Gravity measurements using Doppler ranging to history. Comparison with other Characterize interior configuration spacecraft; characterization of structural features Global gravity map small bodies. and overall shape: MDIS Monochrome imaging of impact crater and Monochrome image catalog How have the Trojan asteroids evolved over structural feature morphology: MDIS time? Are the geological processes which have Constraints on surface strength Characterize physical surface occurred on the Trojans the same as those that Topography from stereo imaging: MDIS Slope map and regolith properties; properties have affected asteroids in the Main Belt? collisional history Regolith processes and distribution: MDIS Regolith distribution map Multispectral global map, High-resolution multispectral mapping of craters: mulstispectral image MDIS Characterization of space Investigate space weathering effects catalog weathering effects at 5 AU Composition of pickup ions in the solar wind from Pickup ion species (?) sputtered neutrals: EPPS Moon images and orbital Constraints on geological Search for moons Image vicinity of target
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