Innovative Interstellar Explorer

Early concept art for the explorer.

Innovative Interstellar Explorer was a NASA "Vision Mission" study funded by NASA following a proposal under NRA-03-OSS-01 on 11 September 2003. This study focused on the elusive quest to reach and measure the interstellar medium, the region outside the influence of the nearest star, the Sun.^[1] It proposes to use a radioisotope thermal generator with ion thrusters.^[1] The project is a study of a proposed interstellar precursor mission that would probe the nearby interstellar medium and measure the properties of magnetic fields and cosmic rays and their effects on a craft leaving the Solar System.^[2] Mission launch plans analyzed direct, one planet, multi-planet, and upper-stage trades.^[1]

A variety of plans were proposed, including using launch windows (not counting backups) for a Jupiter assist in 2014, 2026, 2038, and 2050—about every 12 years.^[1] The launch opportunity for the 2014 window passed,^[3] but for example it could have resulted in a Jupiter flyby by early 2016 and then go on to reach 200 AU by 2044.^[1][2] With an ion drive, a speed of about 7.9 AU/yr by the time its xenon propellant was depleted could be attained, enabling that 200 AU by 2044 and perhaps 1000 AU after one hundred years from launch.^[1] Different launch times and configurations have various timelines and options.^[1]

References

See also

• TAU mission
• Interstellar probe

Spacecraft missions to Jupiter Orbiters Galileo Juno (en route) Descent probes Galileo Probe Flybys Pioneer 10 Pioneer 11 Voyager 1 Voyager 2 Ulysses Cassini–Huygens New Horizons Planned missions Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (2022) Proposed flybys Argo New Horizons 2 Innovative Interstellar Explorer Uranus Orbiter Proposed missions Europa Clipper Europa Jupiter System Mission-Laplace Jupiter Europa Orbiter Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter Jupiter Magnetospheric Orbiter Europa Lander Io Volcano Observer Cancelled / Concepts Europa Orbiter Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter Neptune Orbiter Jovian Europa Orbiter Pioneer H Tsiolkovsky mission Related topics Deep Space Network Exploration of Io Moons of Jupiter Italics indicates active missions, even if they passed Jupiter already.