Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the - Solar System ...

SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Research and Analysis
Progress in giant planet studies must be made on multiple fronts to understand the numerous
intertwined processes operating inside these dynamic and complex systems. The specific examples
discussed in this chapter are representative of just a subset of research and analysis efforts focused on
giant planets. A single space mission lasts for a short duration of time compared to the long orbital
periods of the outer planets, and studying the processes with longer timescales require research programs
with long-term vision. Robust research and analysis programs, coupled with ground-based observations
of giant planets and their attendant rings and moons, provide the foundation that links missions separated
by decades. 97
INSTRUMENTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Technology Development
The challenges common to all giant planet missions—large distances, long flight times, and
stringent limitations on mass, power, and data rate—mean that all missions can benefit technical advances
in a number of broad areas. The breadth of technology needed for giant planet exploration calls for an
aggressive and focused technology development strategy. Specific technologies needed to enable future
missions to the giant planets include: power sources; thermal protection systems for atmospheric probes;
aerocapture and/or nuclear electric propulsion; and robust deep-space communications capabilities. 98
Instrumentation
Low mass and low-power electronics, as well as high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments,
are necessary in many applications including ground-based instrumentation; support that is directed to
instrument programs that support these areas of development will be particularly beneficial.
Some of the most important advances in outer planet research have come from access to facilities
such as Gemini and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, as well as access to the Keck
telescopes, through the NSF Telescope System Instrumentation Program (TSIP) program. TSIP provides
funding to develop new instruments to enhance the scientific capability of telescopes operated by private
(non-federally funded) observatories, in exchange for public access to those facilities. For example, much
of the Uranus Ring-Plane Crossing observational work was supported at Keck via NOAO/TSIP time.
Earth- and Space-Based Telescopes
The Hubble Space Telescope has been crucial for giant planet research, especially high-resolution
imaging of the ice giants. The study of auroral activity on the gas giants has been accomplished almost
completely with Hubble’s ultraviolet capability. There is no ultraviolet-optical high-resolution alternative
from the ground, and thus Hubble observations remain a high priority for giant planet research through
the mission’s remaining lifetime. 99
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an infrared-optimized telescope to be placed at the
second Sun-Earth Lagrange point. Non-sidereal (moving target) tracking requirements have been
identified and are currently being implemented. JWST’s science working group is assessing the
feasibility of observing Jupiter and Saturn, which may require restricting wavelengths or using subarrays;
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