Odyssey: a Solar System Mission

Description

The Solar System Odyssey mission uses modern-day high-precision experimental techniques to answer some of the important questions on the laws of fundamental physics which determine dynamics in the solar system. It could lead to a major discovery by using readily available technologies and could be flown early within the Cosmic Vision time frame. The mission proposes to perform a set of precision gravitation experiments from the vicinity of Earth to the deep Solar System far beyond the orbit of known planets: verification of gravity in the deep Solar System, measurement of Eddington's parameter, investigation on fly-by anomaly, mapping of gravity field in the outer solar system. The Odyssey mission focuses its efforts on the challenge of designing a deep space mission within the cost of 300Meuros. This challenge restricts the main mission design choices (launcher, energy and payload options) and trade-offs in science goals. The payload definition emphasises demonstrated technology, with non gravitational forces measured by an accelerometer upgraded from an existing qualified design, and the probe followed by Doppler tracking and ranging built up on existing radio science instruments. In the baseline concept, the main spacecraft will fly beyond the Saturn orbit (up to 13 AU), with several fly-by, allowing the achievement of the first three scientific objectives. After the last fly-by, a radio-beacon is released and continues the mission up to at least 50 AU, with the extension of the deep space gravity experiment to larger distances and with achievement of the last scientific objective of the outer Solar System gravity mapping.

Abstract

submitted to Experimental Astronomy, Special Issue for Cosmic Vision 2007

Abstract

International audience

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