Trajectory Design of Perseus: A CubeSat Mission Concept to Phobos

Nallapu, Ravi Teja; Dektor, Graham; Kenia, Nalik; Uglietta, James; Ichikawa, Shota; Herreras-Martinez, Mercedes; Choudhari, Akshay; Chandra, Aman; Schwartz, S. R.; Asphaug, Erik; Thangavelautham, Jekan

doi:10.3390/aerospace7120179

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 41 publications

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“…Ambiguities associated with each theory make it impossible to converge towards a definite answer, yet the latter would contribute to our understanding of terrestrial moons and the solar system as a whole [22]. Moreover, in the prospect of human explorer missions projected for the 2030s, these moons could serve as staging bases for refuelling transiting spacecraft, teleoperating critical machinery and developing habitable infrastructure ahead of planetary landings [23]. In essence, Phobos' physical properties are known just well enough to define a mission strategy, whilst maintaining strong grounds for a geodetic investigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold Atom Interferometry for Enhancing the Radio Science Gravity Experiment: A Phobos Case Study

Plumaris

Dirkx²,

Siemes³

et al. 2022

Remote Sensing

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Interplanetary missions have typically relied on Radio Science (RS) to recover gravity fields by detecting their signatures on the spacecraft trajectory. The weak gravitational fields of small bodies, coupled with the prominent influence of confounding accelerations, hinder the efficacy of this method. Meanwhile, quantum sensors based on Cold Atom Interferometry (CAI) have demonstrated absolute measurements with inherent stability and repeatability, reaching the utmost accuracy in microgravity. This work addresses the potential of CAI-based Gradiometry (CG) as a means to strengthen the RS gravity experiment for small-body missions. Phobos represents an ideal science case as astronomic observations and recent flybys have conferred enough information to define a robust orbiting strategy, whilst promoting studies linking its geodetic observables to its origin. A covariance analysis was adopted to evaluate the contribution of RS and CG in the gravity field solution, for a coupled Phobos-spacecraft state estimation incorporating one week of data. The favourable observational geometry and the small characteristic period of the gravity signal add to the competitiveness of Doppler observables. Provided that empirical accelerations can be modelled below the nm/s2 level, RS is able to infer the 6 × 6 spherical harmonic spectrum to an accuracy of 0.1–1% with respect to the homogeneous interior values. If this correlates to a density anomaly beneath the Stickney crater, RS would suffice to constrain Phobos’ origin. Yet, in event of a rubble pile or icy moon interior (or a combination thereof) CG remains imperative, enabling an accuracy below 0.1% for most of the 10 × 10 spectrum. Nevertheless, technological advancements will be needed to alleviate the current logistical challenges associated with CG operation. This work also reflects on the sensitivity of the candidate orbits with regard to dynamical model uncertainties, which are common in small-body environments. This brings confidence in the applicability of the identified geodetic estimation strategy for missions targeting other moons, particularly those of the giant planets, which are targets for robotic exploration in the coming decades.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold Atom Interferometry for Enhancing the Radio Science Gravity Experiment: A Phobos Case Study

Plumaris

Dirkx²,

Siemes³

et al. 2022

Remote Sensing

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The importance of Phobos simulants: a review on our current knowledge

Miranda

Patel

Berberan‐Santos

et al. 2023

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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Phobos, a satellite of Mars, was successfully studied by flyby, orbiter, and landing missions to the Red Planet, but several questions remain about its origin, composition, and relationship to Mars. It is suggested that Phobos is either a captured body from the asteroid belt or the outer Solar System (capture scenario), or a consequence of re-accreted ejecta from Mars (in situ formation/giant impact). So far, Phobos has been characterized by its two spectral units - blue and red - with different compositional restrains. The red unit represents most of the surface, while the blue unit is focused on the Stickney crater and surroundings. In the absence of samples returned from this satellite, simulant regolith must be studied to infer various proprieties, and complement in situ studies. To date, there are three simulants of this satellite: Phobos-1C, Phobos Captured Asteroid-1 (PCA-1), and Phobos Giant Impact-1 (PGI-1). Since Phobos may have a Mars-like composition, terrestrial analogues of Mars should also be analysed. The data retrieved from the various assays performed with these planetary field analogues may be used as a database to complement future space missions to Phobos, but, ultimately, the composition of Phobos will have to be analysed by a sample-return mission.

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Trajectory Design of Perseus: A CubeSat Mission Concept to Phobos

Cited by 2 publications

References 41 publications

Cold Atom Interferometry for Enhancing the Radio Science Gravity Experiment: A Phobos Case Study

Cold Atom Interferometry for Enhancing the Radio Science Gravity Experiment: A Phobos Case Study

The importance of Phobos simulants: a review on our current knowledge

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