Browse and search white papers and mission & technology studies received by the Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Click here for basic user instructions.

Total results: 31

PREV | 1 | 2 | NEXT       View All Results       Print Results       Download as PDF

Authors	Title	Summary	Panel Selection	Institution	Download/ Details
Phil Nicholson Co-Authors: Matthew Tiscareno, Linda Spilker	Saturn Ring Observer Study Report	The Saturn Ring Observer (SRO) study was requested by the Giant Planets Panel of the 2012 Planetary Science Decadal Survey (PSDS). The panel specified two study objectives: -Investigate the method(s) by which a spacecraft might be placed in a tight circular orbit around Saturn, using chemical or nuclear-electric propulsion or aerocapture in Saturn''s atmosphere. The critical issue is trajectory. -Identify technological developments for the next decade that would enable such a mission in the post-2023 timeframe (after the next Saturnian equinox), with a particular focus on power and propulsion.	Giant Planets	Cornell University Cornell University Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Download File More Details
Chip Shearer	Lunar Polar Volatiles Explorer (LPVE) Mission Concept Study	The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a mission to investigate the possibility of volatiles in permanently shadowed areas of the lunar poles -- the Lunar Polar Volatiles Explorer (LPVE). The overall science goals and objectives were provided as guidelines by the Decadal Survey Inner Planets Panel, with the goal of determining whether such a mission could be accomplished within a Principal Investigator (PI)-led mission cost cap (i.e., New Frontiers).	Inner Planets	University of New Mexico	Download File More Details
Chip Shearer	Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN)	The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) mission to the Moon. It was conducted by Marshall Space Flight Center''s, Robotic Lunar Lander Development Project team in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). This study was documented based on previous trades, analysis and options for concepts developed by the team over the last 18 months, with a goal of determining whether such a mission could be accomplished within a Principal Investigator (PI)-led mission cost cap (e.g. New Frontiers). The mission focuses on the scientific rationale for deploying a global, long-lived network of geophysical instruments on the surface of the Moon to understand the nature and evolution of the lunar interior from the crust to the core.	Inner Planets	University of New Mexico	Download File More Details
John Spencer	Jupiter Europa Orbiter Component of EJSM	Some 400 years ago, discovery of the four large moons of Jupiter by Galileo Galilei changed our view of the universe forever. Today Jupiter is the archetype for the giant planets of our solar system, and for the numerous giant planets now known to orbit other stars, and Jupiter''s diverse Galilean satellites -- three of which are believed to harbor internal oceans -- are central to understanding the habitability of icy worlds.	Satellites	Southwest Research Institute	Download File More Details
John Spencer	JPL Rapid Mission Architecture (RMA) Enceladus Study Final Report	At the request of the Satellites Panel of the Planetary Science Decadal Survey, a Rapid Mission Architecture (RMA) study of possible missions to Saturn''s moon Enceladus was conducted at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in January and February of 2010. Fifteen mission architectures were examined that spanned a broad range of potential science return and total estimated mission cost. This report documents the findings of that study.	Satellites	Southwest Research Institute	Download File More Details
John Spencer	Enceladus Orbiter	The Enceladus Orbiter (EO) mission would explore Saturn''s moon Enceladus, investigating the following in order of priority: -The nature of Enceladus''s cryovolcanic activity -The internal structure and chemistry of Enceladus -The geology of Enceladus -The interaction of Enceladus with the Saturn system -The surfaces and interiors of Saturn''s moons Rhea, Dione and Tethys -Preparation for potential future landing on Enceladus	Satellites	Southwest Research Institute	Download File More Details
John Spencer	Titan Saturn System Mission	Titan is a high priority for exploration, as recommended by NASA''s 2006 Solar System Exploration (SSE) Roadmap (NASA 2006), NASA''s 2003 National Research Council (NRC) Decadal Survey (NRC Space Studies Board 2003) and ESA''s Cosmic Vision Program Themes. Recent revolutionary Cassini-Huygens discoveries have dramatically escalated interest in Titan as the next scientific target in the outer solar system.	Satellites	Southwest Research Institute	Download File More Details
Elizabeth Turtle	Io Observer	The Jovian moon Io is likely the most geologically active body in the solar system, offering insight into tidal heating, volcanic processes, and other phenomena. However, its location within Jupiter''s radiation belt presents significant engineering challenges that must be addressed to enable future missions to Io. Under the direction of NASA, and with direct guidance from the National Research Council''s (NRC''s) Satellites Panel, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory''s (JPL''s) Advanced Project Design Team (Team X) looked at the feasibility of a remote observational mission to Io as a possible future New Frontiers concept.	Satellites	Johns Hopkins University/ Applied Physics Laboratory	Download File More Details
Joe Veverka	Comet Surface Sample Return (CSSR) Mission	The National Academy of Science''s Decadal Survey (New Frontiers in the Solar System: An Integrated Exploration Strategy, 2003) recommended that NASA develop a medium-class mission to return a comet surface sample to Earth for laboratory analysis. NASA tasked the Applied Physics Laboratory to refine the concepts described in the Decadal Survey.	Primitive Bodies	Cornell University	Download File More Details
Joe Veverka	Cryogenic Comet Nucleus Sample Return (CNSR) Mission Technology Study	This report documents the results of a study commissioned by the 2012 Decadal Report Primitive Bodies Panel to provide inputs to six key technological issues that need to be addressed to facilitate a Cryogenic Nucleus Sample Return (CNSR) mission and that will likely not be solved by other primitive bodies missions.	Primitive Bodies	Cornell University	Download File More Details
J. Hunter Waite	JPL Team X Titan Lake Probe Study Final Report	This study focused on an in-situ examination of a hydrocarbon lake on the Saturnian moon Titan -- a target that presents unique scientific opportunities as well as several unique engineering challenges (e.g., submersion systems and cryogenic sampling) to enable those measurements. Per direction from the National Research Council (NRC) 2012SS Planetary Decadal Survey Satellites Panel, and after an initial trade-space examination, study architectures focused on three possible New Frontiers'' class missions and a more ambitious Flagship-class lander intended as a contributed portion of a larger collaborative mission.	Satellites	Southwest Research Institute	Download File More Details

PREV | 1 | 2 | NEXT       View All Results       Print Results       Download as Excel

These documents have been prepared in coordination with the National Academies of Science in support of the National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey. These documents are being made available for information purposes only, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology.