Session
Technical Session IX: The Horizion-- New Small Satellite Missions or Sensors to Broaden Our Understanding of Space: Section II
Abstract
The paper summarises a novel mission concept called SIMONE (Smallsat Intercept Missions to Objects Near Earth), whereby a fleet of microsatellites may be deployed to individually rendezvous with a number of Near Earth Objects (NEOs), at very low cost. The mission enables, for the first time, the diverse properties of a range of spectral and physical type NEOs to be determined. Such data are invaluable in the NEO scientific, impact damage prediction, and impact countermeasure planning contexts. The five identical 120kg spacecraft are designed for low-cost piggyback launch on the Ariane-5 into GTO, from where each uses a high specific impulse gridded-ion engine to escape Earth gravity and ultimately to rendezvous with a different NEO target. The primary challenge with such a mission is the ability to accommodate the necessary electric propulsion, power, payload and other onboard systems within the severe constraints of a microsatellite. The paper describes the way in which the latest technological advancements and innovations have been selected and applied to the mission design. The SIMONE design is feasible and offers a highly cost-effective mission, which is applicable to other solar system science/exploration objectives. SIMONE clearly demonstrates that the concept of an “interplanetary microsatellite” is now realisable.
Presentation Slides
SIMONE: Interplanetary Microsatellites for NEO Rendezvous Missions
The paper summarises a novel mission concept called SIMONE (Smallsat Intercept Missions to Objects Near Earth), whereby a fleet of microsatellites may be deployed to individually rendezvous with a number of Near Earth Objects (NEOs), at very low cost. The mission enables, for the first time, the diverse properties of a range of spectral and physical type NEOs to be determined. Such data are invaluable in the NEO scientific, impact damage prediction, and impact countermeasure planning contexts. The five identical 120kg spacecraft are designed for low-cost piggyback launch on the Ariane-5 into GTO, from where each uses a high specific impulse gridded-ion engine to escape Earth gravity and ultimately to rendezvous with a different NEO target. The primary challenge with such a mission is the ability to accommodate the necessary electric propulsion, power, payload and other onboard systems within the severe constraints of a microsatellite. The paper describes the way in which the latest technological advancements and innovations have been selected and applied to the mission design. The SIMONE design is feasible and offers a highly cost-effective mission, which is applicable to other solar system science/exploration objectives. SIMONE clearly demonstrates that the concept of an “interplanetary microsatellite” is now realisable.
