Mission and System Design of a Venus Entry Probe and Aerobot

Paper number

IAC-05-A3.P.03

Author

Mr. Andy Phipps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom

Coauthor

Mr. Alex da Silva Curiel, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom

Coauthor

Dr. Peter Falkner, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Stephen Lingard, United Kingdom

Coauthor

Prof. Martin Sweeting, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom

Coauthor

Dr. Marcel van den Berg, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Year

2005

Abstract

The Venus Entry Probe study is one of ESA's technology reference studies.  It aims to identify; the technologies required to develop a low cost, science-driven mission for in-situ exploration of the atmosphere of Venus, and the philosophy that can be adopted.  The mission includes a science gathering spacecraft in an elliptical polar Venus orbit, a relay satellite in highly elliptical Venus orbit, and an atmospheric entry probe delivering a long duration aerobot which will drop several microprobes during its operational phase. 
 
The atmospheric entry sequence is initiated at 120 km altitude and at 9.8 kms-1 velocity. Once the velocity has reduced to 15 ms-1 a 85 kg Aerobot – consisting of a gondola and balloon – is released.  To avoid Venus’ crushing surface pressure and high temperature an equilibrium float altitude of 55 km has been baselined.  The Aerobot will circumnavigate Venus several times over a 30-day period analysing the Venusian middle cloud layer.  At scientifically interesting locations 15 drop-sondes will be released.  

This paper focuses on the final mission design with particular emphasis on system level trade-offs including the; balloon and pressurisation system, communications architecture, power system, design for mission lifetime in a hostile and acidic environment.  It discusses the system design, design drivers and presents an overview of the innovative mission-enabling and mission-enhancing technologies.

Abstract document

IAC-05-A3.P.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-A3.P.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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