Background
Between 2017-2019, SwRI’s Space Science and Engineering Division prepared and delivered a proposal to the NASA Discovery flight mission program to conduct a planetary exploration mission called Centaurus. The scientific objective of Centaurus centers on the exploration of escaped Kuiper Belt Objects that orbit much more closely to the Sun than does the Kuiper Belt itself. NASA evaluated this proposal in 2019 and in 2020 and found it selectable and ranked it of high scientific value, but did not select the proposal for further development due to other selection priorities. This IR project is to reformulate the Centaurus mission for future funding opportunities.
Approach
This IR project involved examining trajectories, spacecraft design, experiment payload, and flight mission operations to optimize the overall mission return. Project risks were identified and mitigations developed, as was a project budget. The work was reviewed by an independent review team and published as a peer review journal article (citation below).
Accomplishments
- Mission design trajectory reanalysis was completed and a prime and backup trajectory was chosen.
- The instrument requirements were defined and options were vetted as to their costs vs potential for supporting the business aspects and also scientific capability.
- Spacecraft options and overall architectures were optimized.
- Cost reanalysis was completed.
- Some risks have been identified and mitigation strategies are being taken.
- Several independent peer reviews of the mission concept were organized and the review comments have been incorporated.
- A peer reviewed journal article was published: Singer, K.N., et al. 2021, A new spacecraft mission concept combining the first exploration of the Centaurs and an astrophysical space telescope for the outer solar system, Planet. Space Sci. 205, 105290. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2021.
- Marketing materials were developed and vetted through several review panels/ individuals.
- Pitches were made to several institutions as potential partners for subsequent phases of the project and two institutions signed on as initial Olympus partners in Phase B.