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Author
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Topic: Hypothetical rescue for interplanetary probes
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oly
Member Posts: 1304
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 10-19-2021 11:25 PM
   
Given the news that NASA's Lucy mission to the Trojan asteroids is experiencing problems latching one of its solar panel in place, would it be prudent for NASA to consider changing the way such launch events happen?Could it be feasible that the launch stages in low Earth orbit, conduct the necessary deployment of solar arrays and other hardware, conduct any required checks, and then conduct the engine burn to leave orbit? It seems crazy in this day and age to send millions of dollars of hardware off with a known issue when the technology exists to send a robotic mechanic up to manipulate the array or affix some kind of support brace. While such a robotic mechanic does not exist, similar technology does exist in other forms. Do the solar arrays need to be deployed after the burn to leave orbit takes place due to stress loads? If so, could this be engineered around? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4941
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-20-2021 06:09 AM
Robotic Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) is already being developed for other on orbit applications (inspection, refueling, etc). Big challenge is going to be accommodating the myriad of launch inclinations (which in some instances are "one offs" or see such low utilization rates that it may not justify placement of an inspection bird in a particular orbit). Also imposes yet another launch window constraint to facilitate rendezvous. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1686
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 10-20-2021 07:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by oly:
...would it be prudent for NASA to consider changing the way such launch events happen?
No. Not worth it. - The probes are not designed for LEO environment. More costs and mass to do so.
- The probes are not designed to be near another spacecraft with its associated effluents. More costs and mass to do so.
- The probes are not designed to be handled by another spacecraft. More costs and mass to do so.
- Solar arrays are not designed for the loads during injection. More costs and mass to do so.
- launch vehicle upperstages are not designed for long duration stays in LEO. More costs and mass to do so.
quote:
...to send millions of dollars of hardware off with a known issue when the technology exists to send a robotic mechanic up to manipulate the array or affix some kind of support brace.
Also, this logic doesn't work. Spend more money to maybe save money. Just launch a replacement probe instead of a repair probe. | |
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