Multiple sub-probes are technically feasible for fast flyby missions to outer Solar System objects
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Available mission concepts and analyses indicate that deploying multiple sub-probes from a main spacecraft during flyby missions is a viable architectural approach to enhance scientific data collection around outer Solar System objects.
# Are multiple sub-probes feasible for fast flyby missions to outer Solar System objects?
Tags: probe, planet, mission-design, flyby
- Score: 10
- Views: 398
- Answers: 1
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: LocalFluff (27291 rep)
- Asked: 2014-06-17
- Edited: 2014-06-17
- Site: space
## Question
The obvious drawback with a flyby mission compared with an orbiter is of course that an orbiter could make several flyby's. I wonder if the following ideas about mission design could help make flyby missions attractive enough to outcompete orbiters for exploration of outer Solar System objects (Uranus, Neptune, dwarf planets, asteroids)?
If a flyby probe splits up into several sub-probes with instruments, they could each fly by the object of study in different trajectories. Images could be taken from several angles and a better 3D measurment of magnetic and gravity fields would be obtained. The main probe would be the only one with Earth communication capability, a long term energy source and apropulsion system. For outer planets, each sub-probe could also pass nearby one moon each. Sub-probes would only be awake on batteries during the flyby and communicate only with the nearby main probe. Wi
Swarm Flyby Gravimetry - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 5 km diameter) can sometimes provide observability of the gravity field's first spherical harmonic, J( sub 2). In summary, this method offers a feasible, affordable approach to enabling or augmenting flyby science." 5 km diameter) can sometimes provide observability of the gravity field's first spherical harmonic, J( sub 2). In summary, this method offers a feasible, affordable approach to enabling or augmenting flyby science."
## NTRS
## NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server
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Swarm Flyby GravimetryThis study describes a new technology for discerning the gravity fields and mass distribution of a solar system small body, without requiring dedicated orbiters or landers. Instead of a lander, a spacecraft releases a collection of small, simple probes during a flyby past an asteroid or comet. By tracking those probes from the host spacecraft, one can estimate the asteroid's gravity field and infer its underlying composition and structure. This approach offers a diverse measurement set,equivalent to planning and executing many independent and unique flyby encounters
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