A SmallSat Approach to Deep-Space Exploration: The Enceladus Chirp Orbiter (ECHO)

Abstract

With the recent advent of commercial space companies, there is increased interest in space exploration and spaceflight technologies. In planetary science, the field of astrobiology is becoming more popular as well. Astrobiologists aim to understand how life developed on Earth, and where habitable environments could exist elsewhere in the solar system and beyond. However, even with all of this interest in space exploration, very few spacecraft have traveled to the outer solar system. This is due to several reasons, but mainly due to the complexities and cost of large missions designed for deep space. Past deep-space missions have tended to be large and expensive; the science returns are incredible, but the price is discouraging. The Enceladus Chirp Orbiter (ECHO) has been designed to be a small, less-expensive orbiter for deep-space exploration, to shift away from the paradigm of large, heavy, and costly deep-space flagship missions. The main science goal of this mission is to use a novel chirp radar experiment (DARE, or the Differential Absorption Radar Experiment) to search for biomarkers in the plumes of the Saturnian moon, Enceladus. The work discussed here details a concept study for the ECHO mission. First, the science rationale for this mission will be discussed, as well as how the DARE instrument functions and its planned operations. Second, the spacecraft design and components will be defined. This will be accomplished through analysis of both off-the-shelf and custom hardware and software. Technologies are leveraged from prior NASA deep-space missions, as well as small satellite (SmallSat) missions, especially those flown and tested on the University of Arizona’s low-Earth orbiting CatSat satellite. Third, a deployable K-band communications dish concept based on CatSat technologies and lab work will be discussed. Next, the trajectory analysis for the mission will be explored, leveraging from past missions to Saturn and beyond, as well as an opportune Jupiter gravity assist occurring in the late 2030’s and early 2040’s. Lastly, ongoing CatSat and LunaCat work, as well as future work to advance ECHO and the DARE technology will be discussed.