A Vision for Planetary and Exoplanets Science: Exploration of the Interstellar Medium – the Space between Stars
- Paper number
IAC-17,D4,4,1,x41640
- Author
Dr. Leon Alkalai, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. NITIN ARORA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States
- Coauthor
Mrs. Stacy Weinstein-Weiss, Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, United States
- Year
2017
- Abstract
A vision is proposed in which planetary science and exoplanets merge into a common discipline with common goals and inter-related scientific discoveries. As we learn more about our own solar system we can apply the known aspects of our solar system as a test case (laboratory) to the observations of distant stars and resident exoplanets.\\ The paper also describes a 4 teared program that encompasses: \begin{itemize} \item En masse exploration of the interstellar medium (ISM) using a large number ($\leq$ 100), of small satellite explorers for the in-situ exploration of the local ISM at the distance of 100-100 AU. Imagine a plethora of small Voyager-1 spacecraft deployed in many different directions reaching the Heliopause and the local ISM in 8-10 years. Only using such a volume of in-situ explorers can we really learn about the complex interaction between our Sun and the ISM.\\ \item Small number (4-5) deep space probes in the pristine ISM region of 200 – 300 AU. These would be medium size robotic explorers that would take 10-15 years to reach such distances and deploy a more robust set of instrumentation for detailed measurements in the pristine ISM.\\ \item Delivery of an imaging telescope 1m in diameter to the Solar Gravity Lens Focus area at a distance of $\geq$ 500 AU for the multi-pixel imaging of exoplanets. Such an observatory would be the ultimate telescope for the multi-pixel imaging of exoplanets as it will use the gravitational magnification of the Sun to concentrate photons from the exoplanet.\\ \item Finally, the fourth component of the proposed vision and program is a specific technology development program to demonstrate technologies that will one day allow our robotic explorers to reach another exoplanet. As of today, there are a few proposed options including beamed energy, e-sails, and other techniques, but, all of these are in very early stage of development. Such a program would encourage early technology demonstrations on a small scale, with options for scalability to larger formats and to faster speeds of travel.\\ \end{itemize} Stakeholders for such a proposed program include: Planetary Science, ExoPlanets, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics. A roadmap for this program will also be presented, highlight major missions and milestones, along with critical technologies.- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-17,D4,4,1,x41640.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.