CONCEPTUAL MISSION DESIGN OF A POLAR URANUS ORBITER AND SATELLITE TOUR

摘要

In response to NASA’s planetary science decadal survey, this paper outlinesthe conceptual mission design of a Uranus orbiter. In the baseline design thespacecraft launches during a 21-day launch period in 2020, followed by a13-year cruise with solar electric propulsion and a single Earth flyby. Repeatablelaunch opportunities are available from 2021-2023. An atmospheric probeis released 29 days prior to Uranus orbit insertion. After completion of theprobe descent phase the spacecraft inserts into a highly inclined elliptical orbitfor 431 days, followed by the satellite tour with targeted flybys of five satellites.