Space Missions Minor - Engineering Study Case
Venturing into the Heliosphere
I. Joosten (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
R. Cotar (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
F.Z. Fiedrich (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
F.M. Heijink (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
I.M. Jagt (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
H.E. Reitsma (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
J.H.C. van der Meer (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Marie van de Sande – Mentor (Universiteit Leiden)
Iklim Gençtürk Akay – Mentor (TU Delft - Space Systems Egineering)
M. van Pelt – Mentor (European Space Agency (ESA))
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Abstract
In the history of humankind only three spacecraft have ever ventured into interstellar space [2]. How- ever, none of them have been equipped for proper exploration of interstellar space, all of these five spacecraft were equipped for exploring the outer planets and objects of the solar system but not for interstellar space and/or the heliosphere. In part due to this lack of in-situ measurements of the inter- stellar medium and the heliosphere, not a lot is known of these areas. This report aims to provide a detailed overview of the concept of an interstellar heliosphere probe to investigate the heliosphere and the interstellar medium. This report will examine the requirements that are needed for such a spacecraft and explain why these requirements exist. Moreover, a component level description of the various subsystems typically involved in spacecraft manufacturing will be provided. With these subsystems, estimations of the mass, cost, power and data will be given when appropriate in an overview of all the subsystems.