Would any kind of electric propulsion such as ion propulsion be of any use for a Europa bound craft?
New article on Europa Clipper's progress. Mentions they'll have to make a choice soon on whether to go with the Juno solar panels or if to go with a more advanced design. Sounds also that they are only really considering Atlas V or SLS for the launcher. It sounds like SLS will be the far better choice if the cost can be resolved as well as fitting it into the SLS schedule.http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/10/europa-clipper-concept-team-aims-for-launch-in-2022/
I know how thermal/vac tests work. But how do they actually test for radiation? Do they zap them in a microwave oven or equivalent? And does this have to be done while also in cold vacuum?
While I have no doubt that the scientist working on Europa Clipper would love to see the mission launch in 2022, getting the funding to do so is may be challenging. Currently, Planetary Science gets about $1.35 billion a year. Europa Clipper is expected to cost near $2 billion (plus launch vehicle). So Congress is going to have to either substantially increase Planetary Science funding and/or some other missions will have to be delayed, with the “and” option being the most likely path towards a 2022 Europa Clipper launch.
Quote from: TheMightyM on 03/14/2015 09:21 pmWhile I have no doubt that the scientist working on Europa Clipper would love to see the mission launch in 2022, getting the funding to do so is may be challenging. Currently, Planetary Science gets about $1.35 billion a year. Europa Clipper is expected to cost near $2 billion (plus launch vehicle). So Congress is going to have to either substantially increase Planetary Science funding and/or some other missions will have to be delayed, with the “and” option being the most likely path towards a 2022 Europa Clipper launch.It has a reasonable chance to do so; it does have public support behind it or at least that of planetary scientists. The real question is which launch vehicle will be ready by 2022. Still regarding the probe itself, with a decent push it is possible.
2-Agreed. I would think that simply from a programmatic perspective NASA officials, if presented with a viable Venus mission, would recognize that it has been a long time since the last NASA Venus mission and therefore Venus is due. But they have to get a viable mission that they can support.
Sounds like poor old Venus is off the register, despite it being the only other genuinely Earth-class planet in our Solar System. If we're looking at the evolution of such planetary objects at all, then it demands much more attention. The USSR dominated past Venus research almost by accident after their early probes did well and drew political support, and since then the dearth of large-scale efforts (notwithstanding NASA's 1970/80s Pioneer and Magellan missions, and ESA's more recent repurposed Mars orbiter) has been pretty obvious. Venus is the Titan of the Inner Solar system, with lessons for all sorts of disciplines, and demands much more attention. Here's the facts. Earth's land mass is about 30% of the planet; Venus, though smaller, has a surface area 95% of the total of the Earth including the oceans. Unlike the Earth, all of Venus is visible from orbit in exactly the same way (mostly RADAR) - the only Earth-sized planet which may make that claim. The surface of Mars is about equal to the surface area of Earth, and the Moon is about the same size as Africa - and both of these worlds are easily seen optically from orbit, and are reasonably easy to land on.Venus isn't the low-hanging fruit in terms of planetary science, but certainly is a key aspect of the whole business of the evolution of Earth-class planets, and has been seriously undervalued.
Quote from: vjkane on 03/15/2015 05:05 amHave you heard that there were technical or budget issues with the numerous Discovery Venus proposals?Last Discovery round none made it to category 1.
Have you heard that there were technical or budget issues with the numerous Discovery Venus proposals?
Quote from: Star One on 03/15/2015 08:51 amI would argue that Venus has had its fair share of recent missions Name the recent missions to Venus. With dates.
I would argue that Venus has had its fair share of recent missions
Quote from: Blackstar on 03/15/2015 11:10 amQuote from: Star One on 03/15/2015 08:51 amI would argue that Venus has had its fair share of recent missions Name the recent missions to Venus. With dates.Venus Express only just finished. Akatsuki still active & due in orbit this year.
So, two missions in 25 years.
Quote from: Star One on 03/16/2015 11:55 amQuote from: Blackstar on 03/15/2015 11:10 amQuote from: Star One on 03/15/2015 08:51 amI would argue that Venus has had its fair share of recent missions Name the recent missions to Venus. With dates.Venus Express only just finished. Akatsuki still active & due in orbit this year.So, "fair share" means one mission, launched in 2005, now dead, and one mission that hasn't actually reached Venus and may not work because the spacecraft is severely damaged. And before that, Magellan, launched in 1989.So, two missions in 25 years.