Design Exploration of Low-Thrust Space Trajectory Problem for DESTINY Mission

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 796-807
Author(s):  
Takeshi Watanabe ◽  
Tomoaki Tatsukawa ◽  
Takayuki Yamamoto ◽  
Akira Oyama ◽  
Yasuhiro Kawakatsu
Keyword(s):  
Low Thrust ◽  
Design Exploration ◽  
Trajectory Problem

Design Exploration of a Low-Thurst Space Trajectory Problem for DESTINY Mission

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Watanabe ◽  
Tomoaki Tatsukawa ◽  
Takayuki Yamamoto ◽  
Akira Oyama ◽  
Yasuhiro Kawakatsu
Keyword(s):  
Design Exploration ◽  
Trajectory Problem

Rendez vous with Saturn's rings

1984 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 743-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry T. Nock
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Electric Propulsion ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Low Thrust ◽  
Ring Plane ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Total Impulse ◽  
Saturn's Rings

ABSTRACTA mission to rendezvous with the rings of Saturn is studied with regard to science rationale and instrumentation and engineering feasibility and design. Future detailedin situexploration of the rings of Saturn will require spacecraft systems with enormous propulsive capability. NASA is currently studying the critical technologies for just such a system, called Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP). Electric propulsion is the only technology which can effectively provide the required total impulse for this demanding mission. Furthermore, the power source must be nuclear because the solar energy reaching Saturn is only 1% of that at the Earth. An important aspect of this mission is the ability of the low thrust propulsion system to continuously boost the spacecraft above the ring plane as it spirals in toward Saturn, thus enabling scientific measurements of ring particles from only a few kilometers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document