Journal article
Innovative explorer mission to interstellar space
Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, Vol.59(2), pp.71-75
02/01/2006
Abstract
A mission to interstellar space has been under discussion for over 25 years. Many fundamental scientific questions about the nature of the surrounding galactic medium and its interaction with the solar system can only be answered by in situ measurements that such a mission would provide. The technical difficulties and budgetary and programmatic realities have prevented implementation of previous studies based oil the use of a near-Sun perihelion propulsive maneuver, solar sails, and large fission-reactor-powered nuclear electric propulsion systems. We present ail alternative approach - the Innovative Interstellar Explorer - based on Radioisotope Electric Propulsion. A high-energy, current-technology launch of the small spacecraft is followed by long-term, lowthrust, continuous acceleration enabled by a kilowatt-class ion thruster powered by Pu-238 Stirling radioisotope generators. We describe the science, payload, and mission and spacecraft design. We also discuss the role such a mission plays in assessing heliospheric "space climate," knowledge of which is vital for human exploration to Mars and beyond.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Innovative explorer mission to interstellar space
- Creators
- M GruntmanR L McNuttR E GoldS M KrimigisE C RoelofJ C LearyG GloecklerP L KoehnW S KurthSteven R. OlesonD Fiehler
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, Vol.59(2), pp.71-75
- Publisher
- British Interplanetary Soc
- ISSN
- 0007-084X
- Number of pages
- 5
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2006
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984455263002771
Metrics
1 Record Views