Chapter 22.1: The Geosphere Geology = The study of the planet E.’s composition & structure.
Mission Overviewspaceodyssey.dmns.org › media › 76714 › lucy_flyer.pdfsensing instruments to...
Transcript of Mission Overviewspaceodyssey.dmns.org › media › 76714 › lucy_flyer.pdfsensing instruments to...
Lucy is the first reconnaissance of the Jupiter Trojan asteroids - objects that hold vital clues to deciphering the history of the Solar System. Due to an unusual and fortuitous orbital configuration, Lucy will perform an exhaustive landmark investigation that visits four of these primitive asteroids,
covering both the L and L swarms, all the known taxonomic types, and a nearly equal mass binary. It will use a suite of high-heritage remote 4 5
sensing instruments to map the geology, surface color and composition, thermal and other physical properties of our targets at close range - all this within constraints of the Discovery Program. Thus, Lucy, like the human fossil for which it is named, will revolutionize the understanding of our origins.
Mission Overview
Science Objectives
Importance to NASA Objectives - Decadal Survey Recommendation
Through its unique tour, Lucy will provide crucial input to four of the ten Priority Questions for Planetary Science as expressed by DS13:Through its unique tour, Lucy will provide crucial input to four of the ten Priority Questions for Planetary Science as expressed by DS13:
• What were the initial stages, conditions and processes of Solar System formation ...?• How did the giant planets ... accrete, and is there evidence that they migrated to new orbital positions?
• What governed the accretion ..., and what roles did bombardment by large projectiles play?
• What were the sources of primordial organic matter?
High Impact Science
Baseline Mission Trajectory Lucy’s Comprehensive Tour
Surface GeologySurface Composition Interior and Bulk Properties Satellite and Ring Search
Lucy will map albedo, shape, crater spatial and size-frequency distributions, determine the nature of crustal structure and layering, and determine the relative ages of surface units.
“Study of these objects [Trojans] is important because they may contain key information about the parent materials that accreted in the inner Solar System. An important science goal for this decade is to begin the scientific exploration of the trojan asteroids.” - Planetary Decadal Survey 2013 (DS13)
Lucy will map the color, composition and regolith properties of the surface and determine the distribution of minerals, ices and organics species.
Lucy will determine the masses and densities, and study sub-surface composition via crater windows, fractures, ejecta blankets, and exposed bedding.
Lucy will determine the number, size-frequency distribution and location of km-scale satellites and dense rings.
Ta009332-LUCY
p
L Trojans
5
L T
roja
ns4
Jupiter
Launch: October 2021Flyby 1 - 1981 EQ C-Type Main-Belt: April 20255
Flyby 2 - Eurybates C-Type Trojan: August 2027
Flyby 3 - 1999 VQ D-Type Trojan: October 2028 10Flyby 4 - Patroclus & Menoetius P - Type Trojan Binary: March 2032
Patroclus &Menoetius
Launch
1981 EQ5
1999 VQ10
Eurybates
Frame rotating with Jupiter
Earth
Lucy
Sun
p
p
p
p
pp
p
p
p
CapturedTrojans
TA009400-LUCY
Jupiter Saturn Uranus NeptuneDistance from Sun
Ejected Planetesimals
Trojans likely harbor objects that formed throughout the outer Solar System. It is only by sampling their complete diversity that their true scientific potential can be realized.
Lucy will study:• All Trojan Classes: • Both the L and L swarms.4 5
C-, D-, and P-types.
Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is subject to Section A.4 restrictions.
SurveyingtheDiversityofTrojansFO1Lucy'sTour
TA009 -319 LUCY-E
January2031
Earth Gravity Assist 2Altitude = 300 km
DSM1372 m/s
J
B
Frame rotating with Jupiter
L Trojans
5
L T
roja
ns4
Jupiter
Earth
Sun
p
p
p
p
pp
p
p
p
April 20251981 EQ Encounter5
Approach Angle = 167 degrees, Velocity = 13.4 km/sMember of Young (~130Myr) Erigone Family
D
p
October2021
Launch2 2C3 = 51.5 km /S
A
DSM371 m/s
G
DSM2148 m/s
E
December2024
Earth Gravity Assist 1Altitude = 4501 km
C
DSM4623 m/s
I
LUCY
August 2027Eurybates Encounter
Approach Angle = 111 degrees, Velocity = 5.7 km/sLargest Member of Only Confirmed Trojan Family
F
October 2028
1999 VQ Encounter10
Approach Angle = 69 Degrees, Velocity = 7.0 km/sMember of Eurybates Family
H
March 2032Patroclus/Menoetius EncounterApproach Angle = 203 Degrees,
Velocity = 18.2 km/sLike-sized Binary; Possible Lone Survivor of
Initial Planetesimal Population
K
April 20281997 TS Encounter25
Anomalously LongRotational Period
SEO
Inclination (deg)
Eccentricity
Visible Albedo
Spin (hrs)
Diameter (km)
Type
Class
22
0.12
0.047
103
113/104
P
L Trojan5
Binary
4.4
0.19
0.1
Unknown
3.9
C
Main Belt
8.1
0.09
0.05
8.7
64
C
L Trojan4
12
0.07
0.08
515
34
D?
L Trojan4
8.5
0.04
0.08
13.5
51
D
L Trojan4
1981 EQ5 Eurybates1997 TS25
(SEO)1999 VQ10
Patroclus/Menoetius
18º14º 78º 126ºInitial Phase Angle
Lucy's innovative trajectory obtains flybys of all known Trojan spectral types and leverages the fortuitous alignment of Patroclus and Menoetius in the plane through the L swarm.5
SEO: Not in Current Tour
Color KeyC-type P-type D-type
Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is subject to Section A.4 restrictions.