Jf6

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Probing Jupiters atmosphere with a supersonic
nuclear ramjet
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Probing Jupiters atmosphere with a supersonic
nuclear ramjet
P.M. Sforza University of Florida
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Galileo spacecraft mission to Jupiter
Launch aboard STS-34 October 18, 1989 Venus flyby
(16,000km) February 10, 1990 Earth 1 flyby
(300km) December 8, 1990 Asteroid Gaspra flyby
(1600km) October 29, 1991 Earth 2 flyby (300km)
December 8, 1992 Asteroid Ida flyby (2400km)
August 28, 1993 Probe release July 12,
1995 Jupiter arrival (probe and orbiter) December
7, 1995
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The Galileo Spacecraft
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Jupiters clouds

• Jupiters atmosphere has has many puzzling
  features
• Understanding Jupiter is the central to
  exploration of Solar System.
• Jupiter is prototype for Saturn, Uranus and
  Neptune.
• Jupiter is an extremely common planet type. It is
  likely that most solar systems have a gas giant
  at 5 AU.

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Galileos Jupiter atmospheric probe
Entry velocity 47.4 km/s
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Characteristics of the Galileo orbiter and
Jupiter probe
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Design region for the wing
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Wing characteristics
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Pitching moment coefficient
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The Jupiter Flyer
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The Jupiter Flyer 3-view
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Jupiter Flyer internal layout
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MITEE the nuclear powerplant for the Jovian Flyer
MITEE (MIniature ReacTor EnginE) Ref. Acta
Astronautica, Vol. 44, No.2-4, 1999) ??
Derivative of Ultra-Light Particle Bed Reactor
(PBR) developed for SDIO (1985-1993 200M) ??
MITEE is lighter and more compact than PBR.
MITEE can be adapted for ramjet application
??Replace H2 by ambient atmosphere from inlet
??Reduce outlet temperature from 3000 K to 1500
K ??Reduce power density from 10 to 2 MW/liter
??Increase operating life from 1 hour to months
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Fuel element for the MITEE reactor
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Jupiter Flyer characteristics

• Payload of 900 kg, comprised of
• Ramjet Flyer 300 kg
• Thermal Shield 300 kg
• Companion Orbiter 200 kg

Reactor safety

• Before reactor startup nuclear fuel is not
  hazardous
• Reactor will start operation only after Jovian
  entry.
• During launch (from Earth) safety systems prevent
  criticality for all conceivable accidents.

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Deployment of the Jupiter Flyer

• Upon arrival at Jupiter
• Companion Satellite separates from Entry Capsule
• Companion Satellite enters Jovian orbit
• Capsule enters Jovian atmosphere
• When Entry Capsule has slowed to Mach 3, Flyer
  separates from thermal shield.
• Nuclear engine starts.
• Flyer commences atmospheric mapping.

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Exploring the atmosphere of Mars
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Exploring the atmosphere of Saturn
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Exploring the atmosphere of Venus
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Conclusions
Ramjet Flyer is a practical system for mapping in
great detail characteristics of Jovian
atmosphere. Understanding Jupiter is central to
exploration of our Solar System (and other solar
systems). The MITEE nuclear engine, if developed
for the Ramjet Flyer, has multiple other
applications for Solar System and for near
interstellar exploration.
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Acknowledgements and Contributors
Supported by NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts
Phase I and Phase II Grants
Gilbert Carpenter, Consultant
Stability and Control Timothy Dowling, U.
Louisville Planetary Sci.
Instruments Edward Kush, Consultant
Ramjet Propulsion Hans Ludewig,
Brookhaven Natl Lab Nuclear Physics
George Maise, Plus Ultra Tech.
Principal Investigator John Paniagua, Plus Ultra
Tech. Mission Analysis James
Powell, Plus Ultra Tech.
Inventor of Concept Sven Roosild, Consultant
Radiation Hardening
Pasquale Sforza, U. Florida
Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics