Low-cost interstellar probe

McNutt, R. L.; Andrews, G. B.; McAdams, J. V.; Gold, R. E.; Santo, A.; Oursler, Douglas A.; Heeres, K. J.; Fraeman, Martin E.; Williams, Bruce D.

doi:10.1016/s0094-5765(02)00166-2

Cited by 22 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…It is also important to quantitatively determine how absence of measurable electron fluxes by the Voyager 2 plasma instrument beyond the termination shock constrains possible effective temperatures and velocity distributions of electrons. In the longer term, in situ measurement of electrons should be among top priorities for the future Interstellar Probe mission [ Mewaldt and Liewer , ; McNutt et al , , ; Gruntman , ; Fiehler and McNutt, ; Wimmer‐Schweingruber et al , ; McNutt et al , ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Gruntman

2015

JGR Space Physics

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The expanding solar wind plasma undergoes a shock transition at the interstellar boundary of the solar system and fills the inner heliosheath, the region between the termination shock and the heliopause. The nonequilibrium heliosheath plasma is a main source of energetic neutral atoms that allow remote probing of the heliospheric interface region. Global models of the heliosphere interaction with the interstellar medium often disregard solar photoionization and electron impact ionization of interstellar gas in the heliosheath. When ionization is included, it is commonly treated in a simplified manner and complexity of heliospheric interactions obscures its effect on the properties of the plasma. This work concentrates on physical estimates of ionization and shows that it may lead to significant mass loading of plasma flows in the heliosheath. In turn, mass loading would slow down plasma flows and deplete populations of nonthermal energetic protons. The magnitude of the effect depends on poorly understood and largely unknown energy transfer to electrons at the termination shock and beyond. The presented estimates show that inclusion of ionization is indispensable for global heliospheric modeling and for interpretation of heliosphere imaging in fluxes of energetic neutral atoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interstellar hydrogen ionization in the heliosheath

Gruntman

2015

JGR Space Physics

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“…What, then, is realistic to expect from today's technology in fueled vehicles? Ralph McNutt and his team at the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins have designed what they call a “realistic interstellar explorer” that would use a so‐called Sundiver maneuver to approach within four solar radii, igniting a rocket burn at perihelion using either a scaled‐down Orion approach (with small‐scale nuclear explosions set off behind the vehicle) or a form of solar/thermal propulsion using thermal energy from the Sun to heat a working fluid—probably liquid hydrogen—to high temperature 13–15…”

Section: The Rocket Dilemmamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Interstellar Conundrum: A Survey of Concepts and Proposed Solutions

Gilster¹

2005

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Once considered intractable, the problem of interstellar flight is slowly yielding to analysis. Although manned missions to the stars are exceedingly improbable in this century, the possibility of interstellar robotic probes should not be ruled out. Recent laboratory work and theoretical analysis suggest several near-term technologies that could, given the development of an adequate space-based infrastructure, provide the needed propulsion. Laser-driven lightsails offer the key advantage of leaving the fuel behind, with the laser beam focused by a large Fresnel lens in the outer Solar System. Perhaps more efficient is the use of a particle beam to boost a spacecraft by interacting with its magnetic sail, the latter a system already under intense scrutiny. Variations on "pellet" propulsion using macroscopic objects continue to surface, their mass converted to energy as they arrive at the departing starship. Interstellar flight will be both difficult and expensive, although it can no longer be considered an impossibility. This paper examines the above concepts and relates them to older ideas, such as the Bussard ramjet, that are currently out of favor. The vibrancy of interstellar flight studies is its syncretism-it was through analysis of the drag problem in fusion ramjet designs that a practical means of decelerating an interstellar probe by deployment of a magnetic sail emerged. The intermingling of such ideas offers the hope of robust hybrid concepts that may make interstellar flight a reality.

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“…Past concepts for such a mission have included the use of near-Sun powered gravity assists, with both chemical 6 and advanced high-thrust systems 9,10,11,12,13,14,15 , nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) 2,3,4,16,17 , and solar sails 18,19 . In this work, we detail the mission design studies for such a mission, dubbed the Innovative Interstellar Explorer (IIE) using radioisotope electric propulsion (REP) 20 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%