Interstellar Probe: Humanity's exploration of the Galaxy Begins

Pontus C. Brandt; E.A. Provornikova; A. Cocoros; D. Turner; R. DeMajistre; K. Runyon; C.M. Lisse; S. Bale; W.S. Kurth; A. Galli; P. Wurz; Ralph L. McNutt; R. Wimmer-Schweingruber; J. Linsky; S. Redfield; P. Kollmann; K.E. Mandt; A.M. Rymer; E.C. Roelof; J. Kinnison; M. Opher; M.E. Hill; M.V. Paul

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.07.011

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Interstellar Probe: Humanity's exploration of the Galaxy Begins

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Interstellar Probe: Humanity's exploration of the Galaxy Begins

Pontus C. Brandt, E.A. Provornikova, A. Cocoros, D. Turner, R. DeMajistre, K. Runyon, C.M. Lisse, S. Bale, W.S. Kurth, A. Galli, …

Acta astronautica, Vol.199, pp.364-373

10/01/2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.07.011

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Abstract

During the course of its evolution, our Sun and its protective magnetic bubble have plowed through dramatically different interstellar environments throughout the galaxy. The vast range of conditions of interstellar plasma, gas, dust and high-energy cosmic rays on this “solar journey” have helped shape the solar system that we live in. Today, our protective bubble, or Heliosphere, is likely about to enter a completely new regime of interstellar space that will, yet again, change the entire heliospheric interaction and how it shields us from the interstellar environment. Interstellar Probe is a mission concept to explore the mechanisms shaping our heliosphere and represents the first step beyond our home, into the interstellar cloud to understand the evolutionary journey of our Sun, Heliosphere and Solar System. The idea of an Interstellar Probe dates back to the 1960's, when also the ideas of a probe to the Sun and its poles were formed. An international team of scientists and a team of engineers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are funded by NASA to study pragmatic mission concepts that would make a launch in the 2030's a reality. The ground breaking science enabled by such a mission spans not only the discipline of Solar and Space Physics, but also Planetary Sciences and Astrophysics. Detailed analyses including the upcoming SLS Block 2 and powerful stages demonstrate that asymptotic speeds around 7 Astronomical Units (au) per Year are already possible with a Jupiter Gravity Assist. Here, we give an overview of the science discoveries that await along the journey, including the physics of the heliospheric boundary and interstellar medium, the potential for exploration of Kuiper Belt Objects, the circum-solar dust disk and the extra-galactic background light. The scientific rationale, investigations and implementation of an Interstellar Probe are discussed including also example payload, trajectory design and operations. •Interstellar Probe is a mission concept to take the first step in to the galaxy.•It will explore the Sun's protective magnetic bubble harboring the entire solar system.•Beyond the bubble it will sample the interstellar medium for the first time.•A speed of 7–8 astronomical units per year is achieved by conventional means.•The concept is undergoing a four-year study concluding in early 2022.

Heliosphere

Interstellar medium

Interstellar probe

KBO

Details

Title: Subtitle: Interstellar Probe: Humanity's exploration of the Galaxy Begins
Creators: Pontus C. Brandt - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
E.A. Provornikova - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
A. Cocoros - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
D. Turner - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
R. DeMajistre - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
K. Runyon - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
C.M. Lisse - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
S. Bale - University of California, Berkeley
W.S. Kurth - University of Iowa
A. Galli - University of Bern
P. Wurz - University of Bern
Ralph L. McNutt - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
R. Wimmer-Schweingruber - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
J. Linsky - University of Colorado Boulder
S. Redfield - Lee College
P. Kollmann - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
K.E. Mandt - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
A.M. Rymer - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
E.C. Roelof - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
J. Kinnison - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
M. Opher - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
M.E. Hill - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
M.V. Paul - The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Acta astronautica, Vol.199, pp.364-373
DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.07.011
ISSN: 0094-5765
eISSN: 1879-2030
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000104, name: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, award: NNN06AA01C
Language: English
Date published: 10/01/2022
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455555502771

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