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Enceladus Life and Mechanism Explorer (ELMO) Orbiter

Bachelor thesis (2025)

Authors

F.D. Al-Rawi Aerospace Engineering
A. Girardello Aerospace Engineering
J.P. Hilker Aerospace Engineering
E. Moro Aerospace Engineering
S. Nafie Aerospace Engineering
J.M. van der Ouw Aerospace Engineering
V.J. Pathirana Aerospace Engineering
C.M. Plevier Aerospace Engineering
M.L.S. Toulemonde Aerospace Engineering
J.N. Wierzbinski Aerospace Engineering
H.J. Zwart Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

B.T.C. Zandbergen Space Systems Egineering (mentor)
Fabrizio Oliviero Flight Performance and Propulsion (mentor)
E.I. Wiegant Wind Energy (mentor)
J. Vennekens Space Systems Egineering (mentor)
D. Jameux Space Systems Egineering (mentor)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
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Published Date

30-01-2025

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The search for extra-terrestrial life has long fascinated humanity, with Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, emerging as a prime candidate due to hydrothermal activity and methane detected in its South Pole plumes by the Cassini mission. The ELMO orbiter is designed to explore Enceladus, searching for biosignatures, mapping its surface, and relaying data from two hopper vehicles deployed on the Saturnian moon. Carrying five scientific payload instruments, the orbiter must meet strict constraints, including a total mission cost of $750 million USD and compatibility with the Ariane 64 launcher. The spacecraft provides 6000 m/s Delta-V through a two-stage design: a main orbiter (3400 m/s) and a kick stage (2600 m/s). It also features an 85 m^2 solar array for power generation and a dual-band communication system to handle high data acquisition requirements (15% of operations time).

The lightweight truss structure, made of low-density composites, incorporates MLI for thermal regulation and multiple radiation-shielded electronics vaults. The fixed high-gain antenna ensures efficient Earth communication at Ka, X, and S bands. Weighing 13400 kg at launch, ELMO's innovative design cannot comply with the launch requirements, and it is therefore advised to perform further studies to re-evaluate the mission.

Files

02_ELMO_FinalReport_final.pdf
(pdf | 9.39 Mb)
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