Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-04-28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
29 pages, uses AIAA style files. Improved presentation, shortened, some technicalities from v1 omitted, updated references, to
Scientific paper
The Doppler-tracking data of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft show an unmodelled constant acceleration in the direction of the inner Solar System. Serious efforts have been undertaken to find a conventional explanation for this effect, all without success at the time of writing. Hence the effect, commonly dubbed the Pioneer anomaly, is attracting considerable attention. Unfortunately, no other space mission has reached the long-term navigation accuracy to yield an independent test of the effect. To fill this gap we discuss strategies for an experimental verification of the anomaly via an upcoming space mission. Emphasis is put on two plausible scenarios: nondedicated concepts employing either a planetary exploration mission to the outer Solar System or a piggybacked micro-spacecraft to be launched from a mother spacecraft travelling to Saturn or Jupiter. The study analyses the impact of a Pioneer anomaly test on the system and trajectory design for these two paradigms. It is found that both paradigms are capable of verifying the Pioneer anomaly and determine its magnitude at 10% level. Moreover the concepts can discriminate between the most plausible classes of models of the anomaly, a central force, a blueshift of the radio signal and a drag-like force. The necessary adaptions of the system and mission design do not impair the planetary exploration goals of the missions.
Izzo Dario
Rathke Andreas
No associations
LandOfFree
Options for a nondedicated mission to test the Pioneer anomaly 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 Options for a nondedicated mission to test the Pioneer anomaly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Options for a nondedicated mission to test the Pioneer anomaly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-715665