A Survey of Mission Opportunities to Trans-Neptunian Objects - Part Ⅳ

摘要

In previous studies, our group evaluated potential high thrust missions to trans-Neptunian objects. In the current work, we extend those efforts and compare low and high thrust mission designs in terms of critical performance parameters, including transit time, maximum probe mass, arrival V_∞, at the target, and radiation dose during the Jovian flyby. All missions are assumed to be launched using an Atlas V, 551 with a Star 48 upper stage, the same launch vehicle used for the New Horizons mission. For both low and high thrust trajectories, a single Jovian flyby is incorporated to improve mission performance. The low thrust missions employ 2 NEXT thrusters for the interplanetary leg. For a given interplanetary trip time, it was found that low thrust designs are consistently able to deliver 300 to 400 kg more mass to the target, while arrival V_∞ values are Jovian flyby radiation are comparable.