On the progress of the VESPA-O model, I don't feel inclined to get into too much detail until the design is more final, but here's what it looks like right now:
Compared to a older spacecraft model which is more complete:
I have a detailed description of the spacecraft and of the rationale of the mission, and I can share it if may be useful.
That would be great.
I don't suppose we will need to start a Jupiter/Saturn thread too now? :justkidding:
---------- Post added 03-23-15 at 04:37 AM ---------- Previous post was 03-22-15 at 11:19 PM ----------
Following on from
this post, the instrument baseline is almost complete.
The UVI instrument has been deleted; instead, there is
UVIS (Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph), which will preform similar functions. This also means the SPECTRA is deleted as well; still looking into that.
There is now a
Public Dust Counter (PDC), which will measure the dust spectra of the spacecraft's environment from cruise to VOI, and possibly, while in orbit.
A single
Langmuir Probe will be included, attached to a dedicated boom.
Additionally, a
Ultra-Stable Crystal Oscillator (ICO) will be used to conduct radio science investigations; this is a relatively compact instrument, and it is possible there will be TWO redundant copies of this instrument onboard.
Older instruments that have not been mentioned as of now, and are included in the older post, are still part of the baseline payload.
Depending on how the design(s) for Giovanni and/or VESPA-A turn out, I want to include some "drop sondes" in their payload.
Still trying to picture the main focus of VESPA-O's mission, afterwards the instruments should become more specialized.
