The CONTOUR discovery mission

Author

Reynolds, Edward ; Chiu, Mary ; Farquhar, Robert ; Dunham, David

Author_Institution

Appl. Phys. Lab., Johns Hopkins Univ., Laurel, MD, USA

Volume

2

fYear

1999

fDate

1999

Firstpage

11

Abstract

Over a six-year period, CONTOUR will fly within 100 kilometers of three comet nuclei: Encke in 2003, Schwassmann-Wachmann-3 in 2006, and finally d´Arrest in 2008. CONTOUR will take images, make spectral maps, and analyze dust and gas. The payload includes fixed and tracking imagers that will provide high-resolution images and spectral maps. CONTOUR uses several innovative techniques for performing deep space missions at low cost. These include an indirect launch strategy, unattended hibernation, and an innovative mission and spacecraft design. This paper compares the CONTOUR design and development approach with other recent programs and identifies challenges CONTOUR will face in this era of faster, cheaper, and better

Keywords

aerospace instrumentation; aerospace propulsion; avionics; image sensors; interplanetary matter; remote sensing; space research; space vehicles; CONTOUR discovery mission; Comet Nucleus Tour Mission; Encke; NASA; Schwassmann-Wachmann-3; comet nuclei; cost; d´Arrest; deep space missions; dust; fixed imagers; high-resolution images; indirect launch strategy; payload; spacecraft design; spectral maps; tracking imagers; Costs; Earth; Image analysis; Instruments; Laboratories; Mars; NASA; Physics; Space missions; Space vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 1999. Proceedings. 1999 IEEE

Conference_Location

Snowmass at Aspen, CO

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5425-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.1999.793137

Filename

793137