Magrathea: A proposal for a satellite mission on protoplanetary dust growth experiments

Paper number

IAC-18,A7,2,6,x43147

Author

Ms. Marine Martin-Lagarde, France, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)

Coauthor

Mr. André Guerra, Portugal, Ceiia - Centro De Engenharia

Coauthor

Mr. Jonas Greif, Germany, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Coauthor

Mr. Fabio Fabozzi, Italy, University of Rome “La Sapienza”

Coauthor

Mr. Mattia Reganaz, Germany, OHB System AG

Coauthor

Mr. John McClean, United Kingdom, Imperial College London

Coauthor

Ms. Lisa Jonsson, Sweden, Department of Space Engineering, Lulea University of Technology

Coauthor

Mr. Adrián Baños García, France, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Coauthor

Mr. Adrián Castanón Esteban, Serbia, University of Innsbruck

Coauthor

Ms. Marta Goli, Poland, Warsaw University of Technology (WUT)

Coauthor

Dr. Anton Ivanov, Russian Federation, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

Coauthor

Dr. Kieran Leschinski, Austria, University of Vienna

Coauthor

Ms. Victoria Lofstad, Norway, University of Oslo

Coauthor

Ms. Julia Seibezeder, Austria, University Graz

Coauthor

Ms. Esmee Stoop, The Netherlands, Leiden University

Coauthor

Mr. Gwenaël Van Looveren, Belgium, KU Leuven – University of Leuven

Coauthor

Mr. Jophiel Wiis, Denmark, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen

Year

2018

Abstract

The process of planet formation, from dust to protoplanetary disks, is not very well understood. The physics of both particle growth in protoplanetary disks and small particle dust gravity dynamics are well studied. However, the link between the two, \emph{i.e.} the growth gap between dust grains and mm-sized particles, is still not understood. Additionally, current methods cannot model the full complexity of interactions in this phase of planet formation. Therefore, experiments in microgravity are crucial to revealing the underlying physics. Previous experiments have several limitations in particular their short duration and constrained dimensions. Accurately representing the conditions in the protoplanetary disk, such as the dust particle mean free path and large spatial extent of the dust, is very demanding, especially with larger, longer duration experiments.
 
In order to create the best conditions for these experiments to be scientifically sound, with a reasonable solution, here we present a concept satellite with a $6\,m^3$ chamber. The payload bay provides different measurements of ongoing collision processes, and samples of collision products. Its modularity and capacity is designed to carry several instruments in a carrousel, with $28$ experiment canisters. Those experiments have a range of compositions (including silicates and Fayalite, both with or without ice layers), size distribution (between $1\,\mu m$ and $100\,mm$), and shape properties, probing the conditions that could benefit grain growth. Each experiment will last up to one month allowing the record of approximately $10^6$ collisions, with relative velocities of up to $5\,mm/s$, obtaining statistically meaningful results.
 
With the science objectives and requirements formulated, payload solutions were prepared, and a conceptual mission and spacecraft design was developed. Considering the experiment phase will last up to 5 years, and during that time external influences should be minimised, the three most complex systems are the structure, thermal control, and attitude control. After several trade-offs and a cost analysis, a $1000\,kg$ spacecraft solution was reached, set on a $800\,km$ Sun-synchronous orbit. The mission would cost around $438\,MEuros$.
 
The full work was developed during the 10 days of the 2017 Alpbach Summer School, by a group of fifteen young scientists and engineers, with various backgrounds, from all across Europe, with the support of two dedicated tutors. A concurrent engineering approach, with participants divided among several teams has been used to evaluate more than one scenario, and thus reach a concise solution.


\paragraph{}Submitted for A7 symposium. Can also be considered for the A2.3 session.

Abstract document

IAC-18,A7,2,6,x43147.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-18,A7,2,6,x43147.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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