10.3 Spacecraft design and instrumentation for planetary science
5 min read•Last Updated on July 30, 2024
Spacecraft design for planetary science is a complex balancing act. Engineers must create robust systems that can survive harsh space environments while carrying out scientific missions. From power generation to data transmission, every component plays a crucial role in exploring distant worlds.
Instruments are the heart of planetary missions, gathering data to unlock cosmic secrets. Cameras capture stunning vistas, spectrometers analyze chemical compositions, and radar peers beneath alien surfaces. These tools, along with careful mission planning, help scientists unravel the mysteries of our solar system.
Spacecraft Components and Subsystems
Essential Subsystems
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Power system generates, stores, and distributes electrical energy to all other subsystems
Includes solar panels (for generating power), batteries (for storing power), and power distribution units
Propulsion system provides thrust for orbital maneuvers, trajectory corrections, and attitude control
Can include chemical thrusters, electric propulsion (ion engines), or a combination of both
Communication system enables the spacecraft to send and receive data to and from Earth or other spacecraft
Consists of antennas, transmitters, receivers, and associated electronics
Thermal control system maintains the spacecraft and its components within acceptable temperature ranges
Employs insulation, heaters, radiators, and heat pipes to regulate heat transfer
Attitude determination and control system (ADCS) determines and controls the spacecraft's orientation in space
Uses sensors like star trackers and sun sensors to determine attitude
Uses actuators like reaction wheels and thrusters to maintain the desired attitude
Command and data handling (C&DH) system manages the spacecraft's operations, data processing, and storage
Includes the onboard computer, memory, and software that control the spacecraft's functions and handle scientific data
Payload and Scientific Instruments
Payload, which includes scientific instruments, is a critical component of a planetary exploration spacecraft
Payload is designed to gather data and perform experiments to achieve the mission's scientific objectives
Examples of payload instruments include cameras, spectrometers, radar systems, and in situ sampling devices
Planetary Mission Instruments
Cameras and Imaging Systems
Used to capture visual data of planetary surfaces, atmospheres, and phenomena
Operate in various wavelengths like visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light
Provide valuable information about the morphology, composition, and dynamics of planetary bodies
Examples include high-resolution cameras for surface imaging and wide-angle cameras for global mapping
Spectrometers
Analyze the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted, absorbed, or reflected by planetary surfaces or atmospheres
Help determine the chemical composition, mineralogy, and physical properties of the target body
Examples include gamma-ray and neutron spectrometers (for subsurface composition), infrared spectrometers (for surface mineralogy), and mass spectrometers (for atmospheric composition)
Radar and Radio Science Instruments
Study the surface and subsurface properties of planetary bodies
Can penetrate through obscuring layers like clouds and regolith
Provide information about the topography, roughness, and electrical properties of the target
Examples include ground-penetrating radar and bistatic radar experiments
Magnetometers and Plasma Instruments
Investigate the magnetic fields and charged particles around planetary bodies
Help understand the interactions between the solar wind and planetary magnetospheres
Study the internal structure and dynamics of the target body
Examples include fluxgate magnetometers and plasma spectrometers
In Situ Instruments
Designed to directly sample and analyze planetary environments
Include seismometers (for studying internal structure), thermal probes (for measuring heat flow), and chemical analyzers (for determining composition of soils, rocks, or atmospheric gases)
Examples include the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) on Mars rovers and the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) on the Huygens probe
Design for Mission Objectives
Influence of Mission Objectives on Spacecraft Design
Mission objectives dictate the scientific goals and requirements of the spacecraft
Scientific goals and requirements influence the design of the spacecraft and its subsystems