Maximizing the science return of interplanetary missions using nuclear electric power
- Martin Marietta Astronautics, P.O. Box 179, Denver, Colorado 80201 (United States)
The multi-kilowatt power sources on the spaecraft also enables active sensing, including radar, which could be used to do topographic and subsurface studies of clouded bodies such as Titan, ground pentrating sounding of Pluto, the major planet`s moons, and planetoids, and topside sounding of the electrically conductive atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune to produce profiles of fluid density, conductivity, and horizontal and vertical velocity as a function of depth and global location. Radio science investigations of planetary atmospheres and ring systems would be greatly enhanced by increased transmitter power. The scientific benefits of utilizing such techniques are discussed, and a comparison is made with the quantity and quality of science that a low-powered spacecraft employing RTGs could return. It is concluded that the non-propulsive benefits of nuclear power for spacecraft exploring the outer solar system are enormous, and taken together with the well documented mission enhancements enabled by electric propulsion fully justify the expanditures needed to bring a space qualified nuclear electric power source into being. {copyright} 1995 {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 90423
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950110-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 95:018050
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 324, Issue 1; Conference: 12. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 8-12 Jan 1995; Other Information: PBD: 20 Jan 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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