Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs

Details Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs

Jan 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001iaop.work...73r&link_type=abstract

Forum on Innovative Approaches to Outer Planetary Exploration 2001-2020, p. 73

Physics

Space Missions, Space Exploration, Autonomy, Spacecraft Configurations, Operating Costs, Cost Reduction, Deep Space, Hibernation

Scientific paper

Deep space missions are dominated by long periods of low activity cruise before arrival at their main objective. The traditional technique of maintaining regular contact with a spacecraft as it cruises to a distant objective is expensive: a mission operations team must be staffed and DSN antenna time costs thousands of dollars per hour. As more missions are launched, each with longer cruise durations, the strain on resources will become unacceptable. Placing spacecraft in an unattended hibernation state is a practical solution for drastically reducing mission operations costs and deep space network usage costs. Such a technique was used successfully on GIOTTO's extended mission and a new version of hibernation mode is baselined for NASA's CONTOUR spacecraft. CONTOUR is a Discovery class mission that cruises to different comet nucleii over several years. Ultimately, hibernation mode enables more resources to be dedicated toward science operations and analysis by reducing infrastructure costs associated with mission cruise. A white paper on CONTOUR's hibernation mode has been developed that covers different aspects of long term unattended operation including spacecraft configuration and operation, autonomy requirements, navigation requirements, go/no go criteria, failure modes and response, spacecraft recovery strategy, historical precedent, etc. The presentation will present details of the CONTOUR white paper along with discussions regarding the implications of hibernation for outer planets missions. Also discussed will be possible use of a beacon mode assisted hibernation for outer planet missions.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Use of Hibernation Modes for Deep Space Missions as a Method to Lower Mission Operations Costs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1361709