The Solar Probe+ Mission: A New Concept for Close Solar Encounters

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.6.6

Author

Dr. James Kinnison, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Yanping Guo, The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Andrew Dantzler, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Steven Vernon, The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Christopher C. DeBoy, The John Hopkins University, United States

Coauthor

Dr. David Drewry, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Peter Eisenreich, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Martin Fraeman, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Ray Harvey, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Douglas Mehoke, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Christopher Monaco, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Steve Parr, United States

Coauthor

Mr. David Persons, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Lewis Roufberg, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Hongxing Shapiro, United States

Coauthor

Mr. John W. Hunt, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Michael Trela, United States

Coauthor

Mr. David Weir, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Mrs. Melissa Wirzburger, JHU/APL, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States

Coauthor

Mr. Paul Schmitz, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Rainee Simons, United States

Coauthor

Mr. J. Mark Hickman, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Michelle M. Donegan, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, United States

Year

2008

Abstract

The concept of a probe to fly directly into the solar corona, the source of the solar wind, was initially proposed in the mid-1970s – this concept is known as Solar Probe.  The scale and concept of Solar Probe has been revised at intervals since that time, yet the core has always been a close encounter with the Sun. Previous incarnations of this mission centered around a Jupiter gravity assist for solar polar injection and a nuclear power source. In 2007, NASA tasked APL to conduct a new study to determine the feasibility of a non-nuclear mission that would achieve the science objectives determined by an independent Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT). The result is a mission called Solar Probe+ in recognition of the potential science gains of the current concept over its predecessors. 

The ground rules for the Solar Probe+ study imposed significant challenges to meet the science objectives of the STDT within the design of the previous Solar Probe work. This resulted in four challenges: design an orbit that meets science objectives while also reducing the burden of the solar environment on spacecraft systems, develop a power system sufficient to provide power through the solar encounter, provide protection from the solar environment in the chosen orbit, and develop a mass-efficient spacecraft implementation that can be launched into the chosen orbit using a cost-effective launch vehicle. The trajectory trade study resulted in a new orbit that remains near equatorial, yet provides for a minimum of 24 solar encounters in less than 7 years without the use of a Jupiter gravity assist. This orbit allows the mission to accomplish the science objectives of the STDT with a closest approach of 9.5 solar radii (Rs) instead of the more difficult 4 Rs approach of previous mission concepts. The change in orbit allows for the use of photovoltaic power generation through the solar encounter using an actively cooled solar array system and for simplification of the thermal protection conceived in previous Solar Probe concepts. 

The result of the Solar Probe+ study is a technically feasible and affordable mission with acceptable risk that can survive in the unique environment near the Sun and that will fully achieve all of the Solar Probe+ science objectives. In this paper, we first present a brief history of the Solar Probe concept, a summary of the trade studies conducted to meet the challenges given above, changes to science implementation from previous missions, and the mission implementation concept for Solar Probe+.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.6.6.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A3.6.6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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