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Saturn/Titan Rendezvous: A Solar-Sail Aerocapture MissionA low-mass Titan orbiter is proposed that uses conservative or optimistic solar sails for all post-Earth-escape propulsion. After accelerating the probe onto a trans-Saturn trajectory, the sail is used parachute style for Saturn capture during a pass through Saturn's outer atmosphere. If the apoapsis of the Saturn-capture orbit is appropriate, the aerocapture maneuver can later be repeated at Titan so that the spacecraft becomes a satellite of Titan. An isodensity-atmosphere model is applied to screen aerocapture trajectories. Huygens/Cassini should greatly reduce uncertainties regarding the upper atmospheres of Saturn and Titan.
Document ID
20040171127
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Matloff, Gregory L.
(City Univ. of New York Brooklyn, NY, United States)
Taylor, Travis
(BAE Systems Huntsville, AL, United States)
Powell, Conley
(BAE Systems Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
July 29, 2004
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Astronautical Congress
Location: Vancouver
Country: Canada
Start Date: October 4, 2004
End Date: October 8, 2004
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA Order H-351191-D
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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