Citation
Abstract
The Mariner Jupiter-Saturn 1977 Project has recently been formally established as a Flight Project. The mission calls for the launch of two Mariner-class spacecraft in 1977 to fly by Jupiter and Saturn. Flight times to Jupiter and Saturn are approximately 2 and 4 years, respectively. The primary scientific objectives of the missions are to explore Jupiter, Saturn, and their satellites, and to investigate the nature of the interplanetary medium. Engineering objectives include the demonstration of a Mariner-class of spacecraft in space for operational periods of 4 years, use of radioisotope thermoelectric generators as the primary power source, and communications and navigational accuracy out to 10 AU. Support from the 26-m-diameter antenna subnet is required intermittently during the long cruise periods with 64-m support covering the encounters. Navigation support will require S-X planetary ranging, S-X doppler, and differenced range versus integrated doppler (DRVID) and will be planned around complete “cycles” of data. The number of “cycles” per week will vary with the phases of the mission. The Office of Computing and Information Systems (OCIS) organization will be responsible for the hardware, software, and simulation needed by the Mission Operations System (MOS) to carry out the mission. This article provides an introduction to the mission requirements as presently understood.
Details
- Volume
- X
- Published
- August 15, 1972
- Pages
- 35–40
- File Size
- 561.8 KB