Deep atmospheric probe missions to Uranus and NeptuneThe impressive results of the Voyager 2 flybys of Uranus (January 1986) and Neptune (August 1989) revealed many surprises and produced a new set of scientific questions regarding the formation and evolution of the planets, their atmospheres, the rings that surround them, and their satellite systems. A new set of intensive exploration missions to these outer planets is currently being examined by NASA and the scientific community. These missions, like Galileo to Jupiter and Cassini to Saturn, are to provide longer-term high-resolution orbital observations together with in situ atmospheric measurements. This paper will examine the feasibility of using deep atmospheric probes in connection with orbital missions to Uranus and Neptune to obtain the desired scientific measurements down to atmospheric pressure levels of at least 200 bars. The key design parameters of the atmospheric mission and system are defined, examined in some detail, and feasible options are suggested for further study.
Document ID
19900065930
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Swenson, Byron L. (Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)
Wercinski, Paul F. (Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)
Reynolds, Ray T. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Mascy, Alfred C. (Science Applications International Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)