Neptune atmospheric probe mission

Abstract

A feasibility study of a 'Galileo-like' atmospheric probe mission to Neptune aimed at obtaining in situ measurements of atmospheric and cloud composition and structure is presented. The main scientific desire is to obtain in situ measurements down to a pressure level of 75-100 bars to completely penetrate the CH4, NH3, H2S, NH4SH, and H2O clouds. The probe mission should be based on a Galileo complement of instruments with the addition of a gas chromatograph. Particular attention is given to the deployment design, and operation of the atmospheric entry probe system to accomplish the above mission objective.