MISSION PLAN - PDS Small Bodies Node

2.0 Mission Overview
2.1 Mission Objectives
The primary science goal of the STARDUST mission is to collect comet Wild-2 coma
samples, plus bonus interstellar dust samples, in an aerogel medium, and return them to
Earth. Additional science return is anticipated in the form of images of the comet coma
and nucleus, Comet and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA) based dust particle analysis
and dust flux monitoring.
These science goals lead to the following objectives in the design of the STARDUST
mission:
• Provide a flyby of a comet of interest (Wild-2) at a sufficiently low velocity (less than
6.5 km/s) such that non-destructive capture of comet dust is possible using an aerogel
collector.
• Facilitate the intercept of significant numbers of interstellar dust particles using the
same collection medium, also at as low a velocity as possible.
• Return as many high resolution images of the comet coma and nucleus as possible,
subject to the cost constraints of the mission.
More specific definition of the science objectives can be found in Section 2.4 Science
Investigation Descriptions.
2.2 Project System Descriptions
2.2.1 Launch Vehicle
The launch vehicle for STARDUST is a Boeing Delta II 7426. Given its four solid
rocket motors and a Star 37FM upper stage without a Nutation Control System (NCS),
thermal barrier or despin add-ons, it is capable of delivering 396 kgs at a C3 of 26 km 2 /s 2 .
Figure 2.2-1.a shows the STARDUST spacecraft configuration while inside the launch
vehicle and Figure 2.2-1.b shows the launch vehicle itself.
2.2.2 STARDUST Spacecraft
2.2.2.1 General Configuration
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