Arcus Mission Design: Stable Lunar Resonant HEO for X-ray AstronomyThe Arcus mission, proposed for NASA's 2016 Astrophysics Medium Explorer (MIDEX) announcement of opportunity, will use X-ray spectroscopy to detect previously unaccounted quantities of normal matter in the Universe. The Arcus mission design uses 4:1 lunar resonance to provide a stable orbit for visibility of widely-dispersed targets, in a low background radiation environment, above the Van Allen belts for the minimum two-year science mission. Additional ad-vantages of 4:1 resonance are long term stability without maintenance maneuvers, eclipses under 4.5 hours, perigee radius approximately 12 Re for data download, and streamlined operational cadence with approximately 1 week or-bit period.
Document ID
20180006698
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Plice, Laura (Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Dono Perez, Andres (Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Policastri, Lisa (Space Exploration Engineering Co. Friday Harbor, WA, United States)
Carrico, John (Space Exploration Engineering Co. Friday Harbor, WA, United States)
Loucks, Mike (Space Exploration Engineering Co. Friday Harbor, WA, United States)