#Nasa uranus orbiter and probe plus#

After probe release Galileo maneuvered to change from an impact trajectory to a Jupiter Orbit Insertion trajectory. Galileo carried its atmospheric probe on an impact trajectory with Jupiter in 1995 and increased its spin rate to stabilize the probe's attitude for atmospheric entry. Typically, atmospheric spacecraft are carried to their destination by another spacecraft. Its scientific instruments may take direct measurements of an atmosphere's composition, temperature, pressure, density, cloud content and lightning. It does require an electric power supply, which may simply be batteries, and telecommunications equipment for tracking and data relay. For example, an atmospheric spacecraft may have no need for propulsion subsystems or attitude and articulation control system subsystems at all. One typically has a limited complement of spacecraft subsystems. Other examples of orbiter spacecraft include:Ītmospheric spacecraft are designed for a relatively short mission to collect data about the atmosphere of a planet or satellite. Click the Galileo image for details of the Galileo spacecraft. Our prime example of the orbiter spacecraft category is Galileo which entered orbit about Jupiter in 1995 to carry out a highly successful study of the Jovian system. These include Magellan, Galileo, Mars Global Surveyor, and Cassini. Orbiter spacecraft are carrying out the second phase of solar system exploration, following up the initial reconnaissance with in-depth study of each of the planets. Earth occultations will also occur, cutting off uplink and downlink communications with Earth. It has to be designed to live with the fact that solar occultations will occur, wherein the planet shadows the spacecraft, cutting off any solar panels' production of electrical power and subjecting the vehicle to extreme thermal variation. Pioneers 10 and 11 to Jupiter and SaturnĪ spacecraft designed to travel to a distant planet and enter into orbit about it must carry with it a substantial propulsive capability to decelerate it at the right moment to achieve orbit insertion.Other examples of flyby spacecraft include: Click the Voyager image for details of the twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. Our prime example of the flyby spacecraft category is Voyager 2, which conducted encounters in the Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune systems.

Flyby spacecraft may be designed to be stabilized in 3 axes using thrusters or reaction wheels or to spin continuously for stabilization. They must be able to survive long periods of interplanetary cruise. They must downlink data to Earth, storing data onboard during the periods when their antennas are off Earthpoint. Ideally, they can pan to compensate for the target's apparent motion in optical instruments' field of view. They must have the capability of using their instruments to observe targets they pass. They follow a continuous solar orbit or escape trajectory, never to be captured into a planetary orbit.

Spacecraft that carry human occupants are not considered here.įlyby spacecraft conducted the initial reconnaissance phase of solar system exploration. The JPL public website has an up-to-date listing of all past, current, future and proposed JPL robotic spacecraft missions.

#Nasa uranus orbiter and probe plus#

Be sure to select and read each prime example, plus several additional links. We illustrate these eight classes by offering one prime example of each pictured on this page and, in most cases, some additional linked examples. To make some sense of all these variables, this chapter arbitrarily designates eight broad classes of robotic spacecraft according to the missions the spacecraft are intended to perform: Their complexity and capabilities vary greatly and their purposes are diverse. Robotic spacecraft are specially designed and constructed systems that can function in specific hostile environments.