I was recently asked a very interesting question: “What would it take to map the entire surface of Mars, yet be low-cost”? (The question was posed by Chris Cleveland.)
Business case aside (although there was a suggestion that with sufficient imagery, one could offer a 3-D “virtual reality” fly-through of Mars …)
1. We have the technology to make low-cost/relatively high-resolution (hi-res) electro/optical (E/O, e.g., visual) sensors 2. “Cubesat-level” technology could perform the bus functions for a low mass/low power E/O sensor 3. Without a pressing need to rapidly get imagery back to Earth, the constellation could be simplified (i.e., no need for dedicated relays, perhaps community store-n-forward)
So, we have the capabilities to “do the job” once we get there. It seems that the major constraint is “getting there” – i.e., launch costs (that age-old nemesis).
1. First problem is getting the initial launch: a. Without dedicated funding – how can one hitch a ride (on a dedicated launch paid for by someone else, just using extra capacity)? b. If one is hitching rides, how does one plan for an orderly buildout of a constellation? c. Are there better/lower-cost options than hitching rides? i. Balloon to high-altitude? d. Still need that enough velocity to get into orbit i. Then how do the interplanetary transfer? 1. Propulsion system? 2. Timelines?
If, indeed, this is not a business-case-driven venture at first, still one needs a ground site/control segment 1. Who pays for it? 2. Where is it (“halls & walls” …)? 3. Data links a. Telemetry/tracking/control (TT&C) b. Data i. Frequency ii. Data rates iii. Impact on: 1. Spacecraft design 2. Ability to “market” product in a timely fashion
I was recently asked a very interesting question: “What would it take to map the entire surface of Mars, yet be low-cost”? (The question was posed by Chris Cleveland.)
ReplyDeleteBusiness case aside (although there was a suggestion that with sufficient imagery, one could offer a 3-D “virtual reality” fly-through of Mars …)
1. We have the technology to make low-cost/relatively high-resolution (hi-res) electro/optical (E/O, e.g., visual) sensors
2. “Cubesat-level” technology could perform the bus functions for a low mass/low power E/O sensor
3. Without a pressing need to rapidly get imagery back to Earth, the constellation could be simplified (i.e., no need for dedicated relays, perhaps community store-n-forward)
So, we have the capabilities to “do the job” once we get there. It seems that the major constraint is “getting there” – i.e., launch costs (that age-old nemesis).
1. First problem is getting the initial launch:
a. Without dedicated funding – how can one hitch a ride (on a dedicated launch paid for by someone else, just using extra capacity)?
b. If one is hitching rides, how does one plan for an orderly buildout of a constellation?
c. Are there better/lower-cost options than hitching rides?
i. Balloon to high-altitude?
d. Still need that enough velocity to get into orbit
i. Then how do the interplanetary transfer?
1. Propulsion system?
2. Timelines?
If, indeed, this is not a business-case-driven venture at first, still one needs a ground site/control segment
1. Who pays for it?
2. Where is it (“halls & walls” …)?
3. Data links
a. Telemetry/tracking/control (TT&C)
b. Data
i. Frequency
ii. Data rates
iii. Impact on:
1. Spacecraft design
2. Ability to “market” product in a timely fashion