Interstellar (space probe)

Interstellar

Artist's rendering of Interstellar spacecraft (plasma wave antennas extend far beyond portion shown)
Mission type	Outer planetary, heliosphere, and interstellar medium exploration
Operator	NASA / Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Website	interstellarprobe.jhuapl.edu
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass	860 kg (1,900 lb)
Power	470 watts (at launch)
Start of mission
Launch date	2036
Rocket	Space Launch System Block 2
Flyby of Jupiter
Closest approach	2037
Distance	~4 000 km
Flagship

Interstellar (abbr. ISP) is a proposed NASA space probe designed to explore and characterize the heliosphere and interstellar space. The study was originally proposed in 2018 by NASA for the Applied Physics Laboratory, and would have a baseline launch between 2036 and 2041.^[1] The probe would launch on a direct hyperbolic trajectory to encounter Jupiter after six to seven months, after which the probe travel at a speed of about 6–7 astronomical units (900,000,000–1.05×10⁹ kilometres) per year, leaving the heliosphere after only 16 years. The probe may also have the opportunity to encounter minor planets on the way out, including Orcus and Quaoar, though such flybys would require specific launch dates. With next-generation radioisotope thermoelectric generators, (RTGs), the mission would be designed to last for over fifty years after its launch, a similar feat reached by the Voyager 1 and 2 probes despite their intended 5-year lifetime.^[2]

Mission background[]

History[]

Interstellar probes such as the Voyager program were made only with the intent to visit the outer planets, with the added interstellar mission as a mere bonus. Their lifetime had never been expected to be much longer than 12 years at the most, but the probes have lasted for upwards of four decades thus far. Both Voyagers left the heliosphere in the 2010s; Voyager 1 in 2013,^[3] and 2 in 2018,^[4] and while their readings have been valuable, many of their instruments have been shut off due to a lack of power in their RTGs. In addition, neither of them are headed toward the IBEX ribbon, a region discovered by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer where energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) seem to highly affect the heliosphere and are able to breach it at unprecedented rates.^[5]

A graph displaying the IBEX ribbon juxtaposed with flyby speed and secondary targets.

Scientific payload[]

The probe would contain two differing scientific payloads, both weighing about 85–90 kg (187–198 lb). One would prioritize science, whereas the other would prioritize visible and infrared imaging of flyby targets.^[1] Payloads highlighted in red are exclusive to the baseline payload; instruments in green are intended for the augmented flyby payload.

References[]

External links[]

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