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

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Authors	Title	Summary	Panel Selection	Institution	Download/ Details
Steven Hauck, II	Mercury Lander Mission Concept Study	The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a landed mission to Mercury. It was conducted by the JHU/APL Space Department in partnership with Marshall Space Flight Center, Glen Research Center, and Steven Hauck from Case Western Reserve University. This was conducted as a concept maturity level (CML) 3 study focusing on feasibility trades and options for concepts with a goal of determining whether such a mission could be accomplished within a Principal Investigator (PI)-led mission cost cap (See Appendix B for CML definitions). The mission focuses on fundamental science questions that can be best, or only, achieved by surface operations such as determining Mercury''s bulk composition, the nature of the magnetic field, surface history, internal structure, and surface-solar wind interactions.	Inner Planets	Case Western Reserve	Download File More Details
Erik Asphaug	Near Earth Asteroid Trajectory Opportunities in 2020–2024	Near Earth objects (NEOs) are attractive targets for spacecraft missions with the purpose of obtaining greater insight to the nature of the original bodies from which the terrestrial planets formed, without having to visit the Main Belt itself. Greater knowledge of NEOs directly sheds light on the origin and evolution of the asteroid belt, the formation of planets, and the history of the solar system.	Primitive Bodies	University of California, Santa Cruz	Download File More Details
Reta Beebe	Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe Mission Study	The science objectives of the Saturn Atmospheric Probe Mission Study are divided into two groups:"Tier 1," the science floor objectives that would need to be addressed to make the mission worthwhile, and "Tier 2," the next highest priority level, with objectives that prospective Principal Investigators could reasonably add, given sufficient resources.	Giant Planets	New Mexico State University	Download File More Details
Reta Beebe	Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe Trade Study	This study found it might be possible to implement a Saturn probe mission in which a flyby carrier-relay spacecraft (CRSC) would deliver a single probe within the resource constraints of NASA''s New Frontiers Program. Achievement of this goal would require a small and focused set of science objectives.	Giant Planets	New Mexico State University	Download File More 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
John Casani	Small Fission Power System Feasibility Study Final Report	In early March 2010, the Decadal Survey Giant Planets Panel (GPP) requested a short-turnaround study to evaluate the feasibility of a small fission power system (FPS) for future unspecified National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) science missions. FPS technology was considered a potential option for power levels that might not be achievable with radioisotope power systems. A study plan was generated, and a joint NASA/Department of Energy (DOE) study team was formed.	Giant Planets	Jet Propulsion Laboratory	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
Mike Brown	Trojan Tour Decadal Study	The purpose of this study was to define a preferred concept approach along with the risk/cost trade space for a Trojan Tour Mission launched in the 2019-2023 time frame and targeted to be within the New Frontiers mission class envelope of less than $900M in FY15 dollars. The study was conducted by a team led by Mike Brown with members of the Primitive Bodies Panel working with the JHU/APL Space Department as the design center.	Primitive Bodies	California Institute of Technology	Download File More Details
David Grinspoon	Venus Climate Mission	The National Research Council''s 2010 Planetary Decadal Survey Inner Planets Panel commissioned the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to perform a point design study, conducted under NASA Headquarters leadership. The charge is to mature a Venus mission concept capable of studying the Venus climate within a New Frontiers cost range. The NASA Ames Research Center also participated in this study, providing expertise in planetary atmospheric entry.	Inner Planets	Denver Museum of Nature & Science	Download File More Details
Martha Gilmore Co-Author: Lori S. Glaze	Venus Intrepid Tessera Lander	The National Research Council''s 2010 Planetary Decadal Survey Inner Planets Panel commissioned the Goddard Space Flight Center''s (GSFC) Architecture Design Lab (ADL) to do an enhanced rapid mission architecture study, conducted under NASA Headquarters leadership. The charge was to conceive a Venus mission architecture capable of safe landing in one of the mountainous tessera regions of the planet on a budget comparable to New Frontiers. Using the ADL''s five step process (see Appendix), the study accomplished a systematic exploration, down-selection and optimization of the best architecture concepts for the Venus Intrepid Tessera Lander (VITaL).	Inner Planets	Wesleyan University Goddard Space Flight Center	Download File More Details
Lori Glaze	Venus Mobile Explorer	NASA Headquarters commissioned the Goddard Space Flight Center''s (GSFC) Architecture Design Lab with a rapid mission architecture study to support the National Research Council''s 2010 Planetary Decadal Survey Inner Planets Panel. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a Venus mission with surface, or near surface, mobility and realistic operational lifetime could achieve meaningful surface science at two or more independent locations separated by several kilometers on a budget comparable to a New Frontiers cost envelope.	Inner Planets	Goddard Space Flight Center	Download File More Details

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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.