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Mission Strategy for Cometary Exploration in the 1980’s

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Robert W. Farquhar

Extract

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Ballistic intercept missions to comets have been strongly endorsed as the best way to initiate a program of cometary exploration (Roberts, 1971). This mission mode is the simplest and least expensive, and can provide a large science return. Currently, a near-perihelion intercept of Encke’s comet in 1980 is receiving serious consideration for the initial cometary mission. Assuming that the 1980 Encke mission will be carried out as planned, a question that should be considered is: what is the next logical step in an evolutionary sequence of cometary missions? Two possibilities are:

  • Investigate a particular comet in detail. That is, perform a rendezvous mission.

  • Study the physical characteristics of several types of comets. This goal could be achieved by carrying out a series of intercept missions to comets that have exhibited diverse behavior.

Type
Part II
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 25 , Issue Part2: The Study of Comets , 1976 , pp. 1033 - 1057
Copyright
Copyright © NASA 1976

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