Preliminary design for a proposed Saturn mission with a second Galileo spacecraft

A study has been performed to assess the feasibility of using a second Galileo spacecraft for a Titan-probe/Saturn-orbiter mission that would be launched on a Shuttle/Centaur in the early 1990s. The interplanetary transfer is accomplished by means of a Delta-V earth-gravity-assist trajectory with a 3-year flight time from launch to earth flyby. Just prior to arrival at Saturn, the Titan probe is released, and the orbiter is used to relay data from the probe back to earth as it performs a close gravity-assist flyby of Titan. The orbiter then conducts a satellite tour containing multiple encounters with Saturn's satellites. Discussed in detail are the optimal trajectory design, Saturn approach trajectory design (Titan flyby, probe relay, and initial orbit selection), satellite tour design, and mission performance.