Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Weissman, P..
During the August 28, 1993 flyby of 243 Ida, the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) observed the asteroid using a variety of spectral imaging modes and geometric conditions.
Stars passing through the Oort cloud eject comets to interstellar space and initiate showers of comets into the planetary region.
Random passing stars regularly penetrate the Oort cloud, resulting in major perturbations to the orbits of comets there.
During the August 28, 1993 Galileo flyby of 243 Ida, the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer experiment obtained spectral images in the wavelength range 0.7 - 5.2 um.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
For more than two millennia, ancient Chinese court astronomers maintained a rather comprehensive record of cometary sightings.
How will the fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 meet their end, with a bang or a whimper?.
Comets have long been recognized as a very different type of solar system body.
We performed an investigation of the orbit of P/Swift-Tuttle via a long-term integration forward to AD 2392 and backward to 703 BC.
The orbit of P/Swift-Tuttle is investigated by way of a long term integration forward to +2392 and backward to -702.
This paper describes the discovery of QB subscript 1, which is in an orbit beyond Pluto.
This paper describes two aspects to the comet and asteroid hazard problem.
This paper presents estimations of the current impact rates of comets on Pluto and Charon.
A mission out of the planetary system, launched about the year 2000, could provide valuable scientific data as well as test some of the technology for a later mission to another star. Primary scientific objectives for the precursor mission concern characteristics of the heliopause, the interstellar medium, stellar distances (by parallax measurements), low-energy cosmic rays, interplanetary gas distribution, and the mass of the solar system. Secondary objectives include investigation of Pluto. The mission should extend to 400-1000 AU from the sun. A heliocentric hyperbolic escape velocity of 50-100 km/sec or more is needed to attain this distance within a reasonable mission duration (20-50 years). The trajectory should be toward the incoming interstellar gas. For a year 2000 launch, a Pluto encounter and orbiter can be included. A second mission targeted parallel to the solar axis would also be worthwhile. The mission duration is 20 years, with an extended mission to a total of 50 years. A system using one or two stages of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) was selected as a possible baseline. The most promising alternatives are ultralight solar sails or laser sailing, with the lasers in earth orbit, for example. The NEP baseline design allows the option of carrying a Pluto orbiter as a daughter spacecraft.
A mission out of the planetary system, with launch about the year 2000, could provide valuable scientific data as well as test some of the technology for a later mission to another star. Primary scientific objectives for the precursor mission concern characteristics of the heliopause, the interstellar medium, stellar distances (by parallax measurements), low energy cosmic rays, interplanetary gas distribution, and mass of the solar system. Secondary objectives include investigation of Pluto. Candidate science instruments are suggested. Individual spacecraft systems for the mission were considered, technology requirements and problem areas noted, and a number of recommendations made for technology study and advanced development. The most critical technology needs include attainment of 50-yr spacecraft lifetime and development of a long-life NEP system.