TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS FOR A GRAND TOUR MISSION TO OUTER PLANETS

The 1976-1979 time period will present a rare opportunity to launch a multiplanet Grand Tour mission which could visit each of the four large outer planets on a single flight. This paper discusses the major trajectory parameters and their effect on the design of a Grand Tour mission. Potential launch opportunities and mission modes are compared on the basis of such factors as launch energy requirements, mission duration, flyby altitudes, guidance requirements, and general mission characteristics. Communication and tracking over very large distances, long-life and high-reliability systems, power supplies independent of solar energy, avoidance of the rings of Saturn, and similar specific requirements pertaining to the Grand Tour trajectory are also discussed. Accomplishment of the Grand Tour mission is found to be feasible within projected state-of-the-art capabilities. © 1969 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.