Publication Date:
2019-07-27
Description:
The special orbital techniques recently developed for Jupiter orbiter mission were studied for application to a Saturn orbiter mission. The direct opportunities from 1985 through 1990 are compared, and the 1985 opportunity is discussed in detail as an example. The impact of various Shuttle upper stages is considered. Gravity-assisted interplanetary flights can more than double payloads delivered to a Saturn orbit at a cost of about two years of flight time. The uncertainty of the particle environment near Saturn's rings and the desire to use Titan for gravity assistance to decrease orbital period prompted the study of several orbit-insertion schemes. Titan gravity assistance is more powerful than that of Jupiter's satellites. Titan can save 700 m/s of velocity change during orbit insertion if a high periapsis is necessary. Titan can be used to maneuver the line of apsides and orbital inclination to explore Saturn, its environment, and Titan itself at various solar phase angles and to set up occultations.
Keywords:
ASTRODYNAMICS
Type:
AIAA PAPER 75-1136
,
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and American Geophysical Union, Conference on the Exploration of the Outer Planets; Sept. 17-19, 1975; St. Louis, MO
Format:
text
Permalink
