A NASA mission is about to capture carbon-rich dust from a former water world

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Voosen
Keyword(s):  
Nasa Mission

scholarly journals Geodesy, Geophysics and Fundamental Physics Investigations of the BepiColombo Mission

2021 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Genova ◽  
Hauke Hussmann ◽  
Tim Van Hoolst ◽  
Daniel Heyner ◽  
Luciano Iess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Surface Composition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Laser Altimeter ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Radio Science ◽  
Nasa Mission ◽  
Gravity And Magnetic ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Science Investigations

AbstractIn preparation for the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury, thematic working groups had been established for coordinating the activities within the BepiColombo Science Working Team in specific fields. Here we describe the scientific goals of the Geodesy and Geophysics Working Group (GGWG) that aims at addressing fundamental questions regarding Mercury’s internal structure and evolution. This multidisciplinary investigation will also test the gravity laws by using the planet Mercury as a proof mass. The instruments on the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), which are devoted to accomplishing the GGWG science objectives, include the BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA), the Mercury orbiter radio science experiment (MORE), and the MPO magnetometer (MPO-MAG). The onboard Italian spring accelerometer (ISA) will greatly aid the orbit reconstruction needed by the gravity investigation and laser altimetry. We report the current knowledge on the geophysics, geodesy, and evolution of Mercury after the successful NASA mission MESSENGER and set the prospects for the BepiColombo science investigations based on the latest findings on Mercury’s interior. The MPO spacecraft of the BepiColombo mission will provide extremely accurate measurements of Mercury’s topography, gravity, and magnetic field, extending and improving MESSENGER data coverage, in particular in the southern hemisphere. Furthermore, the dual-spacecraft configuration of the BepiColombo mission with the Mio spacecraft at higher altitudes than the MPO spacecraft will be fundamental for decoupling the internal and external contributions of Mercury’s magnetic field. Thanks to the synergy between the geophysical instrument suite and to the complementary instruments dedicated to the investigations on Mercury’s surface, composition, and environment, the BepiColombo mission is poised to advance our understanding of the interior and evolution of the innermost planet of the solar system.

scholarly journals Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP): A New NASA Mission

2018 ◽  
Vol 214 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McComas ◽  
E. R. Christian ◽  
N. A. Schwadron ◽  
N. Fox ◽  
J. Westlake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasa Mission

The NanoSAIL-D2 NASA Mission

Solar Sails ◽  
2014 ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Vulpetti ◽  
Les Johnson ◽  
Gregory L. Matloff
Keyword(s):  
Nasa Mission

scholarly journals James Van Allen and His Namesake NASA Mission

Eos ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (49) ◽  
pp. 469-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Baker ◽  
V. C. Hoxie ◽  
A. Jaynes ◽  
A. Kale ◽  
S. G. Kanekal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasa Mission

scholarly journals Concern over NASA mission statement changes

Eos ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (32) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Sarah Zielinki
Keyword(s):  
Mission Statement ◽  
Nasa Mission

The Role of Manned Extravehicular Activity in Reducing the Cost of Space Payloads

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-576
Author(s):  
Larry R. Alton ◽  
James W. Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Extravehicular Activity ◽  
Nasa Mission ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Cost Implications ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Design Techniques

In order to significantly increase the cost effectiveness of future payloads, new design approaches must be used. With an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) capability baselined for the Shuttle, new payload design techniques to exploit this capability are feasible. This paper reports on the examination of a representative all-pallet payload and some EVA-oriented designs. The cost implications of these designs are analyzed and projections are made for the potential impact on the NASA mission model.

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