Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p13b0168c&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P13B-0168
Mathematics
Logic
6200 Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects, 6280 Saturnian Satellites, 6297 Instruments And Techniques
Scientific paper
Saturn's icy satellite Enceladus has long been known to be unusual, because of its extremely bright, geologically young surface and its role as the probable source of the tenuous E-ring of Saturn. The Cassini mission has discovered a remarkable, thermally active south polar region at Enceladus which is maintained at elevated temperatures and which displays evidence of complex tectonic activity in the form of folded ridges and troughs. The region produces extensive plumes of water vapor and particulates that supply the E-ring. We have considered the possible contributions of small, radioisotope powered electric propulsion spacecraft, using the Planetary Access with Radioisotope Ion-drive System (PARIS). Fundamental objectives of such a mission include the identifying the endogenic energy source, clarifying the thermal history of the satellite and its surface geological expression, characterizing the non-ice constituents of the surface and the plumes, and studying the composition and structure of the E-ring. Candidate instruments include imagers, imaging infrared spectrographs and radiometers, mass spectrometers, and an imaging ultraviolet spectrometer. Mission options to be explored include EELV launch and capture into Saturn orbit followed by capture into Enceladus orbit.
Cheng Andrew F.
Gold Robert
Hibbitts Karl
Prockter Louise
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