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Interplanetary spacecraft design using solar electric propulsion

Emphasis of the electric propulsion technology program is now on the application of solar electric propulsion to scientific missions. Candidate planetary, cometary, and geosynchronous missions are being studied. The object of this paper is to describe a basic spacecraft design proposed as the means to accomplish (1) a comet Encke slow flyby, (2) a comet Encke rendezvous, and (3) an out-of-the-ecliptic mission. The discussion includes design differences foreseen for the various missions and indicates those areas where spacecraft design commonality is possible. Particular emphasis is placed on a solar electric propulsion module design which permits an attractive degree of design inheritance from mission to mission.

Duxbury, J. H.

Interplanetary spacecraft design using solar electric propulsion - A circular 1.0 AU out-of-the-ecliptic mission

A preliminary study has been conducted to investigate the utility of solar electric propelled spacecraft for delivering a scientific payload to high heliographic latitudes to study cosmic rays, the sun, and its influence on environments within our solar system. The mission is considered a candidate for launch in the early 1980's by both the United States and Europe and has the potential of becoming a cooperative space venture. A brief description of the science objectives, mission design and spacecraft design is presented for a circular 1.0 AU heliocentric orbit and a 15 kW solar electric propulsion module. Particular emphasis is placed upon the performance available from this approach.

Duxbury, J. H.

Life-support systems for interplanetary spacecraft and space stations for long-term use

Integrated regenerative life support systems in which the by-products of one system become useful material for another are considered. Regeneration or reclamation of water and the principal atmospheric gases, and elimination or disposition of waste products are the principal functions of such systems. A modular system concept is described. Features of this system include: commonality (for spares reduction), maintainability, overall computer-monitored functioning, and onboard repair and replacement tasks in the event of failure.

Jones, W. L.

Results of a demonstration of the use of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry data for precise navigation of interplanetary spacecraft

A set of experiments in the use of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry for spacecraft navigation have been completed. Data using both Voyager spacecraft and a single quasar were acquired during the Jupiter encounter time period. The data were processed and analyzed in order to assess the navigation accuracy of Differential Very Long Baseline Interferometry. The paper focuses on the data reduction and techniques for assessing data quality and consistency.

Christensen, C. S.

Fault protection design for unmanned interplanetary spacecraft

The difficulties encountered in designing a redundancy management system are discussed and strategies for minimizing the cost and schedule impacts associated with fault protection are provided. Specific examples from the Magellan project are used with emphasis placed on control system fault protection. The major problem areas are the following: (1) the interaction between two semiindependent fault protection systems, (2) the response to faults which are detected by monitoring variables with long time constants, and (3) the design of the 'action scheduler'.

Johnson, Stephen B.

Progress Toward Electrostatic Radiation Shielding of Interplanetary Spacecraft: Strategies, Concepts and Technical Challenges of Human Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit

The radiation problem is a serious obstacle to solar system exploration. Electrostatic shielding was previously dismissed as unworkable. This was based on the false assumption that radial symmetry is needed to provide isotropic protection. KSC recently demonstrated the feasibility of asymmetric, multipole electrostatic shielding. Combined with passive shielding it might solve the radiation problem

Metzger, Philip T.