Results of the Enceladus Flagship Study

Details Results of the Enceladus Flagship Study Results of the Enceladus Flagship Study

Oct 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.2804s&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #28.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.466

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With the remarkable Cassini discovery of active water ice plumes emanating from the south pole of Enceladus, this tiny moon has become an exciting possible target for a future Flagship mission. A NASA HQ-directed study was performed by the Goddard Space Flight Center, with science input from a Science Definition Team drawn from the broad scientific community. It was recognized that a Flagship mission to Enceladus must have a significant science return over that which will be achieved by Cassini. Thus, the main science goals are to investigate Enceladus' biological potential, composition, cryovolcanism, tectonics, tidal heating and interior structure. In addition, we wish to understand the Saturn system interaction with Enceladus and other processes that alter the surface. From these science goals, the SDT generated a traceability to measurement objectives, the mission requirements and the broad science mission configuration trade space. In addition engineering work was performed, including trajectory analysis, mission implementation trades and feasibility design studies of three mission concepts: An Enceladus orbiter with soft lander, a single Enceladus orbiter and a Saturn orbiter with soft lander. Both chemical and solar electric propulsion were considered, along with a variety of interplanetary trajectories. In the Saturn system, the use of aeroassist, and gravity assists by Titan, Rhea and Dione flybys were investigated. Other configuration options explored, but not designed in detail, included sample return, dual launch vehicles and single flybys.

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