BepiColombo - Mission to Mercury
- Paper number
IAC-06-A3.2.07
- Author
Dr. Roger Foerstner, EADS Astrium GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Marc Steckling, EADS Astrium GmbH, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
With the launch of the American probe to Mercury in 2004 a new phase of investigation of the innermost planet has begun. ESA plans a further Mission to Mercury in 2013. In doing so two orbiters – the European Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the Japanese Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter – shall be placed in low orbits around Mercury. In 2001 the Definition Phase was initiated by ESA, with EADS Astrium winning one of the two issued contracts. The Definition Phase was finished end 2005, and by the end of this year the Implementation Phase of BepiColombo will begin. In the course of that study by EADS Astrium a very detailed mission definition was produced to ensure a successful Implementation Phase. The proposed article shall introduce the BepiColombo Mission and its most important elements:
Mission Analysis The required Delta V to reach a Mercury orbit is higher than that to reach Pluto. Therefore it is necessary to develop a highly efficient strategy for the transfer to Mercury which includes: Solar Electric Propulsion, gravity-assist manoeuvres and an insertion into orbit utilising the Weak Stability Boundary.
Transfer As a result of utilising Solar Electric Propulsion it is neccessary to implement a dedicated Propulsion Module for the transfer. Since BepiColombo is the first significant interplanetary mission relying on only electric propulsion for the transfer, new design solutions need to be developed.
Mercury Environment One of the outstanding problems of a Mission to Mercury is the thermal environmental conditions. The orbiter has to resist an insolation of more than 14000 W/m2 as well as infrared irradiation from the hot surface (up to 400°C) of Mercury. Simultaneously, the thermal requirements of some instruments require an interface temperature of -10°C which needs to be met.
Payload Eleven scientific payloads will be carried to Merucry. Some of these payloads place high requirements on the system to successfully accomplish their scientific measurements. The goal of the system design is to ensure the possibility of comprehensive and multi disciplinary scientific research on Mercury.
Actuality of Topic Currently the proposal for the implementation phase is prepared (ESA’s 5th Cornerstone Mission), which will be submitted to ESA in May 2006, so that the Phase B,C/D will start in November 2006.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A3.2.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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