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

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Enceladus Orbiter Spacecraft<br />

SOURCE: NASA Mission Study (transmitted from Curt Niebur, NASA SMD/<strong>Planetary</strong><br />

<strong>Science</strong> Division)<br />

Scientific Objectives<br />

• Investigate <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternal structure, geology, <strong>and</strong> chemistry<br />

of Enceladus <strong>and</strong> plumes discovered by Cass<strong>in</strong>i<br />

• Prepare <strong>for</strong> potential future l<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Observe <strong>in</strong>teractions between Enceladus <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Saturn<br />

system <strong>and</strong> explore <strong>the</strong> surfaces <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>teriors of Saturn’s<br />

moons<br />

• Key science <strong>the</strong>mes:<br />

– Investigate <strong>the</strong> nature of Enceladus’s cryovolcanic<br />

activity<br />

– Provide improved measurements of plume gas <strong>and</strong> dust<br />

– Measure tidal flex<strong>in</strong>g, magnetic <strong>in</strong>duction, static gravity,<br />

topography, <strong>and</strong> heat flow<br />

Key Parameters<br />

• Payload<br />

– Medium Angle Imager<br />

– Thermal Imag<strong>in</strong>g Radiometer<br />

– Mass Spectrometer<br />

– Dust Analyzer<br />

– Magnetometer<br />

• Three Advanced Stirl<strong>in</strong>g Radioisotope Generators<br />

• Launch Mass: 3560 kg<br />

• Launch Date: 2023 (on Atlas V 521)<br />

• Orbit: Enceladus orbit (100 km x 267 km, 62 deg<br />

<strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ation) plus Saturn satellite tour<br />

Enceladus Orbiter<br />

Key Challenges<br />

• <strong>Planetary</strong> Protection<br />

– Potential modifications to design required if planned<br />

Enceladus impact disposal is not acceptable <strong>for</strong><br />

<strong>Planetary</strong> Protection<br />

• Particle Impact Damage<br />

– Potential <strong>for</strong> spacecraft damage from Saturn E‐r<strong>in</strong>g or<br />

Enceladus plume particle impact<br />

– Primary concern is High Ga<strong>in</strong> Antenna surface quality<br />

• <strong>System</strong> Power<br />

– Some potential <strong>for</strong> reduced science operations with<br />

assumed ASRG degradation<br />

Key Cost Element Comparison<br />

Cost Risk Analysis S‐Curve<br />

PREPUBLICATION COPY—SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION<br />

C-19

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