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A Multi-functional Paintball Cloud for Asteroid Deflection
et al.; Paek, S. W.
deweck@mit.edu2, ranohkim@gmail.com3 In this paper, the so-called “smart cloud” concept for asteroid deflection is further developed by (1) utilizing each particle as a container for paint powder and (2) deploying multiple “paintball” clouds to paint the entire surface of an asteroid. This permits deflecting an asteroid by means of a low-thrust, l…
Scientific Use of the Sampler, Drill and Distribution Subsystem (SD2)
Di Lizia, P.; Bernelli-Zazzera, F.; Ercoli Finzi, A. +2 more
Rosetta is the third cornerstone mission of the European Space Agency scientific program "Horizon 2000". Rosetta will be the first spacecraft to orbit around a comet nucleus. It was launched in March 2004 and will reach the comet 67P/ChurymovGerasimenko in 2014. A lander (Philae) will be released and land on the comet surface for in-situ investiga…
A Simple Model for Radioisotope Power System Performance in the Titan Environment
Lorenz, R. D.
Like other energy conversion devices, the performance of Radioisotope Power Systems (RPSs) for spacecraft depend on the heat transfer boundary conditions. In planetary environments, the heat transfer, and thus the RPS operating conditions and performance may be different from those in free space. In particular, we develop a simple model (based on …
Can the Flyby Anomalies be Explained by a Modification of Inertia
McCulloch, M. E.
The flyby anomalies are unexplained velocity increases of 3.92, 13.46, 0.11 and 1.82 mm/s observed near closest approach during the Earth flybys of the Galileo, NEAR, Cassini and Rosetta spacecraft respectively. Here, these flybys are modelled using a theory called Modified Inertia due to a Hubble-scale Casimir effect (MIHsC). The model suggests t…
Flying SMART-1 to the Moon with Electric Propulsion
Milligan, D.; Gestal, D.; Camino, O.
The SMART-1 Lunar Mission was launched in September 2003, and operated from the European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt Germany. SMART-1's primary mission goal was to demonstrate Solar Electric Primary Propulsion by orbit raising from Geostationary Transfer Orbit to the Moon. Due to favourable thruster and power subsystem performance, and a…
Some Recent Results from the Cassini Titan Radar Mapper
Somma, R.
Several flybys of Titan have been successfully performed by the Cassini spacecraft. Among its instruments is a radar mapper, which can obtain images of the Titan's surface through its dense atmosphere. A complete scientific investigation will be conducted after the end of the mission, when all the data from all the instruments will be available, t…
Europe Goes to the Venus - The Journey of Venus Express
Fabrega, J.; Schirmann, T.; McCoy, D. +1 more
On 9th November 2005, a Russian Soyuz-Fregat launcher boosted Venus Express into space from the Baikonur cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft reached its final destination 5 months later, on 11th April 2006, after a journey of 440 millions of kilometres in the solar system. It fired its main engine during 49 minutes and slowed down to be capt…
Spin of Planetary Probes in Atmospheric Flight
Lorenz, R. D.
Probes that enter planetary atmospheres are often spun during entry or descent for a variety of reasons. Their spin rate histories are influenced by often subtle effects. The spin requirements, control methods and flight experience from planetary and earth entry missions are reviewed. An interaction of the probe aerodynamic wake with a drogue para…
Our New View of the Sun - Results from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
Harrison, R. A.
Over the last three years the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has been revolutionising our view of our star, the Sun. A review of some of the new results from SOHO is given here, with a particular emphasis on the solar atmosphere - the source of the so-called `space weather'. The results include a rather unexpected feature of the nature …
The Hipparcos astrometric satellite and visual double stars.
Pannunzio, R.
Astrometry from the Earth is described in this paper with particular attention to the evolution of the observational techniques from the last century to date and to the consequent improvement of results obtained by continually improved techniques. The mission's expected results are considered and the astrometric goals concerning the double and mul…