Uranus Orbiter, The other proposed ice-giant mission Options

[Rob Pinnegar]

Since the Neptune Orbiter thread has started to veer into talking about a Uranus orbiter as well, it seemed like a good idea to start a topic for Uranus.

[Guest_BruceMoomaw_*]

The document for simulation tests for a Neptune orbiter -- of which there were 2000 -- is at http://library-dspace.larc.nasa.gov/dspace...a-2004-4955.pdf . That for tests for the easier Titan orbit aerocapture is at http://www.inspacepropulsion.com/tech/pubs...Performance.pdf .

[tasp]

The document for simulation tests for a Neptune orbiter -- of which there were 2000 -- is at http://library-dspace.larc.nasa.gov/dspace...a-2004-4955.pdf .  That for tests for the easier Titan orbit aerocapture is at http://www.inspacepropulsion.com/tech/pubs...Performance.pdf .

Amazing findings. Seems 'banking' the craft during the decel is the preferred technique. I thought perhaps pitch manuvers (or a combination of both) would be used. The banking technique seems (roughly) analogous to the hypersonic manuveurs the shuttle employs during earth atmosphere re-entry.

The banking technique would have obvious utility in expanding the cross range deflection for a lander type mission (at Titan, Triton, or Pluto).

Appreciate very much the information, it sure whets the appetite for future missions. Weird it may be easier to land on Pluto than Mercury . . . .

[vexgizmo]

An excuse to post in the oh-so-obscure Uranus Orbiter thread!

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Uranus Pre-Equinox Workshop - First Announcement

2-3 May 2006, Pasadena, CA

Purpose: To ensure a comprehensive collection of Uranus System
Equinoctial observations, by gathering the community of Uranus system
observers, modelers, theorists, and lab experimentalists prior to
the 2007 equinox to coordinate both observations and analyses.

Who Should Attend: Those scientists planning either to make observations
of the Uranus system at equinox (including the atmosphere, rings,
and satellites), or to conduct theoretical and/or laboratory work
specifically pertinent to the Uranus system at equinox.

Date and Location: The meeting's timing and venue, 2-3 May 2006
in Pasadena CA, were selected to dovetail with the OPAG meeting on
the following two days, in order to minimize extra travel.

Next step if interested: Send email confirming your interest to
Heidi B. Hammel (...) with "uranus workshop" in the
subject line, and please indicate in the body of the message
the particular aspect(s) of the Uranus system you plan to study.
A second notice (and preliminary agenda) will be distributed in
late February.

Note: the primary purpose of THIS workshop is coordination and
facilitation of equinox observations and analyses, not review of
current science results. Some of us are considering hosting a
pre-DPS workshop to focus specifically on current atmospheric studies,
and similar workshops could be envisioned for other sub-fields.