Session
Technical Session VI: Advanced Concepts
Abstract
Small low-cost spacecraft offer the opportunity to carry out a variety of planetary exploration missions at modest cost as part of a sustained program. This study identifies scientifically valuable missions of modest cost that can be carried out by modifications of a single spacecraft design. These missions lend themselves to a continuing program of essentially constant funding level. Such a program could involve several launches spread over a period of 10 to 15 years at roughly two-year intervals. The stability offered by relatively constant funding, frequent launches, and the return of data in a more nearly constant fashion than is typical of planetary science in the recent past would greatly enhance solar system exploration and sustain a level of interest between the less frequent large programs, which require a major national commitment. The ability to construct capable, reliable spacecraft for modest cost and adapt them to the various missions without a major redesign is critical. Today's developing small spacecraft technology offers that promise. Several typical candidate spacecraft have been identified and used as a basis for this study. Concurrently, several worthwhile planetary science missions have been identified. With these inputs, a candidate program plan has been developed to meet the criteria of constant funding, reasonably spaced launches, and worthwhile science objectives.
Small Spacecraft for Low-Cost Planetary Missions
Small low-cost spacecraft offer the opportunity to carry out a variety of planetary exploration missions at modest cost as part of a sustained program. This study identifies scientifically valuable missions of modest cost that can be carried out by modifications of a single spacecraft design. These missions lend themselves to a continuing program of essentially constant funding level. Such a program could involve several launches spread over a period of 10 to 15 years at roughly two-year intervals. The stability offered by relatively constant funding, frequent launches, and the return of data in a more nearly constant fashion than is typical of planetary science in the recent past would greatly enhance solar system exploration and sustain a level of interest between the less frequent large programs, which require a major national commitment. The ability to construct capable, reliable spacecraft for modest cost and adapt them to the various missions without a major redesign is critical. Today's developing small spacecraft technology offers that promise. Several typical candidate spacecraft have been identified and used as a basis for this study. Concurrently, several worthwhile planetary science missions have been identified. With these inputs, a candidate program plan has been developed to meet the criteria of constant funding, reasonably spaced launches, and worthwhile science objectives.
