Journal article
Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System
The planetary science journal, Vol.2(5), p.184
10/01/2021
DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/abf654
Abstract
The Neptune Odyssey mission concept is a Flagship-class orbiter and atmospheric probe to the Neptune–Triton system. This bold mission of exploration would orbit an ice-giant planet to study the planet, its rings, small satellites, space environment, and the planet-sized moon Triton. Triton is a captured dwarf planet from the Kuiper Belt, twin of Pluto, and likely ocean world. Odyssey addresses Neptune system-level science, with equal priorities placed on Neptune, its rings, moons, space environment, and Triton. Between Uranus and Neptune, the latter is unique in providing simultaneous access to both an ice giant and a Kuiper Belt dwarf planet. The spacecraft—in a class equivalent to the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini spacecraft—would launch by 2031 on a Space Launch System or equivalent launch vehicle and utilize a Jupiter gravity assist for a 12 yr cruise to Neptune and a 4 yr prime orbital mission; alternatively a launch after 2031 would have a 16 yr direct-to-Neptune cruise phase. Our solution provides annual launch opportunities and allows for an easy upgrade to the shorter (12 yr) cruise. Odyssey would orbit Neptune retrograde (prograde with respect to Triton), using the moon's gravity to shape the orbital tour and allow coverage of Triton, Neptune, and the space environment. The atmospheric entry probe would descend in ∼37 minutes to the 10 bar pressure level in Neptune's atmosphere just before Odyssey's orbit-insertion engine burn. Odyssey's mission would end by conducting a Cassini-like "Grand Finale," passing inside the rings and ultimately taking a final great plunge into Neptune's atmosphere.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System
- Creators
- Abigail M. Rymer - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAKirby D. Runyon - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USABrenda Clyde - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJorge I. Núñez - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USARomina Nikoukar - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAKrista M. Soderlund - The University of Texas at AustinKunio Sayanagi - Hampton UniversityMark Hofstadter - California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, USALynnae C. Quick - Goddard Space Flight CenterS. Alan Stern - Southwest Research InstituteTracy Becker - Southwest Research InstituteMatthew Hedman - University of IdahoIan Cohen - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAFrank Crary - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsJonathan J. Fortney - University of California, Santa CruzJanet Vertesi - Princeton UniversityCandy Hansen - Planetary Science InstituteImke de Pater - University of California, BerkeleyCarol Paty - University of Oregon , Eugene, OR 97403, USAThomas Spilker - Independent Consultant, Monrovia, CA 91016, USATom Stallard - University of LeicesterGeorge B. Hospodarsky - University of IowaH. Todd Smith - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryHannah Wakeford - University of BristolSarah E. Moran - Johns Hopkins UniversityAndrew Annex - Johns Hopkins UniversityPaul Schenk - Lunar and Planetary InstituteMartin Ozimek - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJuan Arrieta - Nabla Zero Labs , Pasadena, CA 91105, USARalph L. McNutt - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryAdam Masters - Imperial College LondonAmy A. Simon - Goddard Space Flight CenterSusan Ensor - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAClint T. Apland - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJonathan Bruzzi - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAD. Alex Patthoff - Planetary Science InstituteChristopher Scott - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAChristian Campo - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAChristopher Krupiarz - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USACorey J. Cochrane - California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, USACurt Gantz - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USADan Rodriguez - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USADan Gallagher - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USADana Hurley - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryDoug Crowley - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAElizabeth Abel - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAElena Provornikova - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAElizabeth P. Turtle - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAGeorge Clark - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryJacob Wilkes - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJack Hunt - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJames H. Roberts - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJeremy Rehm - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAKelvin Murray - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USALarry Wolfarth - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USALeigh N. Fletcher - University of LeicesterLinda Spilker - California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, USAEmily S. Martin - National Air and Space MuseumMarzia Parisi - California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, USAMike Norkus - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USANoam Izenberg - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USARobert Stough - NASA Marshal Space Flight Center , Huntsville, AL 35808, USARon J. Vervack - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAKathleen Mandt - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAKevin B. Stevenson - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USASeth Kijewski - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAWeilun Cheng - Johns Hopkins University , Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USAJay D. Feldman - Ames Research CenterGary Allen - Ames Research CenterDinesh Prabhu - Ames Research CenterSoumya Dutta - Langley Research CenterCindy Young - Langley Research CenterJoseph Williams - Ames Research Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The planetary science journal, Vol.2(5), p.184
- DOI
- 10.3847/PSJ/abf654
- ISSN
- 2632-3338
- eISSN
- 2632-3338
- Publisher
- The American Astronomical Society
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- 80NSSC20K0124 / National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (https://doi.org/10.13039/100000104)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984455554202771
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