QUEST : A New Frontiers Uranus Orbiter Concept Study

from the 30th Annual NASA/JPL Planetary Science Summer SeminarS. Jarmak (University of Central Florida), E. J. Leonard (University of California Los Angeles and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology), L. Schurmeier (University of Illinois Chicago), A. Akins (Georgia Institute of

Technology), S. Cofield (Old Dominion Unviersity), D. R. Cremons (Goddard Space Flight Center), A. Curtis (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology), E. Dahl (New Mexico State University), C. Dong (Princeton University),

E. T. Dunham (Arizona State University), B. Journaux, (University of Washington), D. Murakami (Ames Research Center), W. Ng (University of Maryland), M. Piquette (University of Colorado Boulder), A. Pradeepkumar Girija (Purdue

University),K. Rink (Purdue University),N. Stein (California Institute ofTechnology),N.Tallarida (Jet Propulsion Laboratory,California Institute ofTechnology),M.Telus (University of California Santa Cruz),L. Lowes (Jet Propulsion Laboratory,

California Institute of Technology), C. Budney (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology), K. L. Mitchell ( (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute ofTechnology)

Mission Motivation

Science Objectives

Proposed Mission Goals

Our mission would directly address two of the highest priority objectives as described for an Ice Giant

Flagship class mission in the Decadal Survey

• Understanding dynamos that drive magnetospheres in the solar system and

beyond

• Determining the relationship between the ionic environment, thermal

environment, winds and deeper thermal-compositional structure of the interior, in

contrast with the other giant planets

III.

I. Resolve between dynamo models for generation of the magnetic field

II. Establish whether surficial winds and banded structure of Uranus’ upper atmosphere are

related to deeper internal dynamics

Determine the explanation for Uranus’ low thermal emission compared with Neptune and

the other giant planets.

IV. Verify the prediction that Uranus’ magnetic field opens and reconnects daily, and determine

if this results in heating of the stratosphere

Instruments Notional Schedule

Margin and Potential FutureTrades

The ice giants represent a distinct class of planet

and are considered the most common class of

planet outside our solar system. Uranus in

particular with its extreme obliquity, exotic

magnetic field, surprisingly hot stratosphere,

anomalously low heat flux, and mysterious

interior is one of the strangest planets in our

solar system. Exploring this unique world would

bring us closer to understanding the processes

that result in the formation and evolution of the

vast diversity of planets in our universe

MAGIC

(Magnetometer)

PRESTO

Biprop engines

High gain Antenna RadiAnt(X-band uplink

Ka and X-band downlink)

MIRROR (MWR)

WAND(RGB - CH4 Camera)

Monoprop ACS thrusters

Avionics

Baseline Spacecraft Configuration

(Plasma Wave Detector)

Near Uranus size

(1.2-5.1 RE)

Ice Giants remain unvisited

for the last 30years RadiAnt

•Stratosphere and gravity measurements

MAGIC

•Magnetic field magnitude

and direction

PRESTO

• Help resolve between dynamo models

• Thermal plasma, dust,lightning

MIRROR• Global circulation patterns

• Cloud spatial structure

• Coupling of deep atmosphere to dynamo

WAND•

•

•

Bond albedo

Stratospheric methane abundance

Short-term atmospheric change

Mission Concept Design

• Launch: 03 May 2032

• 13-year cruise

• EEJU gravity assist path

• Earth flyby alt 1000 km

• Jupiter flyby alt 1.7E6 km

•Orbit insertion: 100-day capture orbit

• Science Orbit: 9 30-day polar orbits

• Periapsis altitude: 1.1 Ru

• End of mission: Disposal into Uranus

Cost Summary (FY2018 $M) Team X Estimate

Phase A-D + Launch Ride +

Nuclear Accommodation

Costs (NEPA) 856.7 M

Launch Ride + NEPA costs 99.7 M

Development Cost 757.0 M

Phase A 4.2 M

Phase B 75.7 M

Phase C/D 677.1 M

Phase E-F 227.2 M

• Power: 30% Margin

• Mass: 50% Margin

• Cost: 43.3 M below cap

•Fits in Atlas 431

•Mass available for 3rd

eMMRTG

• Instrument additions

Conclusions

• Low cost option for high priority ice

giant mission

• Margins allow for flexible trade space

• A launch within this timeframe is

critical to allow for Jupiter gravity

assist significantly reducing costs

Predecisional information, for planning and discussion only

Radiator

eMMRTG (x2)

(Baseline power system)

Projected Cost** The cost information contained in this

document is of a budgetary and planning nature

and is intended for informational purposes only.