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6 Applications of Nuclear Power and Propulsion in Solar System Exploration: Missions
Pages 64-82

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From page 64...
... 64 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION 6 Applications of Nuclear Power and Propulsion in Solar System Exploration: Missions PRIORITIES ENHANCED OR ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION What high-priority solar system exploration objectives could be uniquely enabled or greatly enhanced over the next 25 years by the development of advanced spacecraft nuclear power and propulsion systems? The answer depends on the assumptions.
From page 65...
... APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION IN SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION: MISSIONS 65 nuclear power and propulsion systems being developed under the aegis of Project Prometheus. These missions include the following: · Cassini Extended.
From page 66...
... 66 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION · Mars Long-Lived Lander Network. This network will monitor ground seismic activity and ground-level atmospheric chemistry and dynamics for at least 1 martian year in multiple locations.
From page 67...
... A variety of mission types are enabled by the RPS technologies being developed by Project Prometheus. Individual missions are listed in each category to illustrate the richness of the science questions that can be addressed.
From page 68...
... 68 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION BOX 6.1 Long-Lived Venus Lander Mission Type: RPS-class Objectives: · Pioneer new technologies to enable long-lived surface operations on Venus; · Provide new insights into why the terrestrial planets have evolved so differently; · Conduct seismic observations on the surface of Venus; · Retrieve and analyze surface samples at high-priority locations, to address questions about the diversity of crustal geochemistry and mineralogy, and also surface/atmosphere interactions and processes; · Analyze the atmosphere during descent (particularly the lower-most 20 km) and on the surface; and · Determine the structure of the outer 10 to 20 cm of surface material.
From page 69...
... APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION IN SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION: MISSIONS 69 Rovers. Robotic laboratories mounted on rovers powered by RPSs can, in principle, explore large areas and operate in severe conditions.
From page 70...
... 70 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION BOX 6.2 Long-Lived Mars Network Mission Type: RPS-class Objectives: · Advance understanding of the formation and evolution of planets in general and of Mars in particular; · Resolve questions concerning the size and other physical characteristics of the martian core; · Determine the seismic properties of the martian mantle; · Characterize the crustal structure and thickness; · Conduct extensive synoptic measurements of the martian atmosphere and weather at ground level to address issues relating to atmospheric dynamics; · Contribute to an understanding of the history and nature of the volatile inventory and distribution on Mars by studying surface/atmosphere interactions; · Address issues pertaining to climate history (external forcing) as well as volcanic history and its interaction with climate; and · Monitor the abundance and distribution of molecules of possible biological importance, including water and methane.
From page 71...
... The highest-priority science questions address the internal structure and elemental composition of the gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) and the denser, more remote ice giants (Uranus and Neptune)
From page 72...
... 72 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION BOX 6.3 Cryogenic Comet Sample Return Mission Type: RPS-class Objectives: · Study the molecular, volatile, and refractory composition of cometary nuclei, including the structure of the ices; · Compare the composition and structure of the material from the surface and from depth (1 m) ; · Determine the global surface properties of the nucleus of the target comet by remote-sensing tech niques, supplemented by in situ studies of one or more selected sites; and · Determine the rotation state and heat transfer properties of the nucleus.
From page 73...
... APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION IN SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION: MISSIONS 73 · Touch down at a selected site on the surface and obtain two samples: one from the surface and one at a depth of at least 1 m. Repeat sampling at a second selected site, if feasible.
From page 74...
... 74 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION BOX 6.4 Titan Express/Interstellar Pioneer Mission Type: NEP-class Objectives: · Conduct an extended close study of Titan's surface, subsurface, and lower atmosphere: its geomor phology and meteorology, as well as the identification of sites of astrobiological interest; · Study the composition and distribution of organic compounds and the processes and energy sources resulting in the creation, modification, and destruction of organic compounds; · Conduct in situ chemical analysis of selected surface sites; · Explore the interstellar medium and its implications for the origin and evolution of matter in our galaxy and universe; · Explore the outer solar system for clues to its origin and to the nature of other planetary systems; · Explore the influence of the interstellar medium on the solar system and its dynamics and evolution; and · Explore the interaction between the interstellar medium and the solar system as an example of how a star interacts with its local galactic environment. Implementation: · An NEP-class spacecraft travels to Saturn under continuous acceleration to minimize delivery time, and releases an aerobot (inside an entry shield)
From page 75...
... APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION IN SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION: MISSIONS 75 · Small subsurface radar sounder; · In situ surface chemistry package; and · Environment sensors (meteorological and also radiation detectors for radiocarbon)
From page 76...
... . Science Categorization of New Mission Concepts The SSE decadal survey defined a set of 12 fundamental science questions to be addressed by solar system exploration missions.6 Table 6.1 presents a cross-matrix of the new mission concepts discussed in this report relative to these 12 questions.
From page 77...
... and solar and space physics (e.g., formation flying)
From page 78...
... 78 PRIORITIES IN SPACE SCIENCE ENABLED BY NUCLEAR POWER AND PROPULSION TABLE 6.1 Science Questions Addressed by New Mission Concepts SSE Decadal Survey Science Questionsa Missions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 RPS Missions Envisioned by 2020 Venus Long-Lived Network X X X X X Lunar Polar Rover/Driller X X X X Mars Advanced Science Laboratory X X X X X X X Titan Aerobot Explorer X X X X X Neptune Deep Multiprobes X X X X X X X X Comet Nucleus Surface Laboratory X X X X X X Science Suggests >2020 Mercury Polar In Situ Explorer X X X X X Venus Long-Lived Network X X X X X Venus Aviator X X X X X Lunar Long-Lived Network X X X X Mars Long-Lived Network X X X X X X X Europa Astrobiology Lander X X X X X X Io Observer X X X Titan Surface Laboratory X X X X X Technology Suggests >2020 Mercury Long-Lived Network X X X X Venus Mobile Laboratory X X X X X Venus Selected Sample Return X X X X X X Mars Polar Profilerb X X X X X X X Mars Deep Drillerb X X X X X X X X Mars Cryogenic Sample Return X X X X X X X Icy Satellite Long-Lived Network X X X X X X Icy Satellite Deep Drillerb X X X X X X X Io In Situ Explorer X X X X X Cryogenic Comet Sample Return X X X X X X KBO Surface Laboratory X X X X X X Prometheus Propulsion Missions Envisioned by 2020 Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter X X X X X X X X X Saturn System Multiple Rendezvous X X X X X X X X X Titan Express/Interstellar Pioneer X X X X X Main-Belt/Trojan/Centaur Multiple Rendezvous X X X X X Neptune-Triton System Explorer X X X X X X X X Science Suggests >2020 Titan Surface Sample Return X X X X X X X Uranus System Explorer X X X X X X X X Multiple KBO Rendezvous X X X X X X Technology Suggests >2020 Icy Moons Subsurface Sample Return X X X X X X X X Main-Belt/Trojan/Centaur Multi-Sample Return X X X X X aSSE Decadal Survey Science Questions: 1. What processes marked the initial stages of planet and satellite formation?
From page 79...
... For more details, see National Research Council, New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, pp.
From page 80...
... 80 Nuclear I sp i High-Thrust and Propulsion lectronics d,e e d,e Radiation- Hard E X X X X X X X XX ow-Power d d d d d h h L Electronics X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X c c c c c f c Active Cooling X X Units d d d f h h Radioisotope Heater XX XX XX XX X X XX X X X X X X a e d d d Radioisotope Power (atmosphere) XX XX X XX XX XX X X X X X XX XX b d e d g h h Radioisotope Power (vacuum)
From page 81...
... 81 to in may them ability bimodal body nuclear require for the and lications from conditions g g X issues. nearby demand missions destination.
From page 82...
... 4. National Research Council, New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy, The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2003, p.


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