(-14-) From: "JPL Universe"
Date: January 13, 1995
PLUTO FAST FLYBY REDEFINED AS PLUTO EXPRESS
For Pluto Fast Flyby, 1994 was a leaner, meaner year, as in
response to the new budget climate, the project has been
"reconstituted" as Pluto Express.
"The project will cost less and feature technology that will
serve as a pathfinder for affordable next-century missions to the
outer solar system and beyond," according to Robert Staehle, Pluto
preproject manager.
The Pluto spacecraft has been redesigned for a mass of less
than 100 kilograms, and Russian Drop Zonds will be used to sample
the planet's atmosphere if initial discussions on Russian
cooperation come to fruition, he explained.
Staehle noted that prototype software was tested this past year
in an effort "to enable highly autonomous cruise."
Prototype instruments were also delivered from JPL and other
investigators. They were able to demonstrate that science goals
"can be met with an ultraviolet/visible/infrared radio science
flight instrument total weighing less than 7 kilograms, and using
less than 6 watts, for less than $30 million," he said.
"Two years ago, people laughed when we proposed such
requirements," Staehle noted. "But with the current technology, we
have shown that we can do the Pluto science set within these
constraints."
Currently, the team--comprising about 30 employees--has created a
"menu of options that streamline the project. NASA Headquarters is
evaluating the possibilities.
"Do we go with direct trajectory, which is simpler?" Staehle
asked. "Do we choose less costly operations, but on a trajectory
requiring an expensive upper stage?"
"Do we work with the Russians and launch on their Proton
rockets? Would each probe carry a Drop Zond, which would then be
dumped?"
Or, Staehle offered, should the team launch without the
Russians' help, using a Delta rocket? These are the options
currently being examined.
Regardless of configuration, the launch is planned for 2001,
with the project beginning in 1998.
Staehle characterized the past year as "tumultuous, because
people are still making up their minds as to what kind of mission
we'll fly."
But the biggest achievement, he maintained, is that "a year
ago, the questions were `if we do this.' Now, it's `when we do
this mission.' "
He said he feels Pluto "will happen."
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- T o d d E. V a n H o o s e a r -
``'''vanhoose@lalaland.cl.msu.edu - vanhoose@msu.edu - vanhoose@lalaland.cl.msu.edu
(._.) Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI USA
(_) Computer Laboratory - Department of Communication
`---' <A HREF="http://lalaland.cl.msu.edu/~vanhoose/">My Home Page</A>
"Grad school: it's not just a job, it's an indenture."
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