Thomas R. Spilker
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View article: Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System
Neptune Odyssey: A Flagship Concept for the Exploration of the Neptune–Triton System Open
The Neptune Odyssey mission concept is a Flagship-class orbiter and atmospheric probe to the Neptune–Triton system. This bold mission of exploration would orbit an ice-giant planet to study the planet, its rings, small satellites, space en…
View article: In Situ exploration of the giant planets
In Situ exploration of the giant planets Open
View article: Atmospheric Entry Probes in the Outer Solar System: Developing a Software Tool to Assess Trajectory Options
Atmospheric Entry Probes in the Outer Solar System: Developing a Software Tool to Assess Trajectory Options Open
<p>The composition of outer planet atmospheres holds fundamental clues to understanding the formation and evolution of the solar system. Measurements of noble gas abundances and key isotope ratios help constrain formation models, and…
View article: Technologies for Ocean Worlds
Technologies for Ocean Worlds Open
This white paper summarizes and provides an overview of the cross-cutting technologies necessary for Ocean Worlds, their status and needed developments.It complements the two white papers arising from the OPAG Roadmap for Ocean Worlds (ROW…
View article: Technologies for the Scientific Exploration of the Outer Planets
Technologies for the Scientific Exploration of the Outer Planets Open
The outer solar system is a vast region populated by an extremely diverse collection of objects, from giant planets with their satellites, rings, magnetospheres to ocean worlds and dwarf planets, and a variety of smaller objects.Each has s…
View article: Prospects to study the Ice Giants with the ngVLA
Prospects to study the Ice Giants with the ngVLA Open
Whitepaper #063 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032. Topics: atmospheric/exospheric evolution; giant planets systems; solar system formation, dynamics processes, and chronology
View article: Exploration Strategy for the Outer Planets 2023–2032: Goals and Priorities
Exploration Strategy for the Outer Planets 2023–2032: Goals and Priorities Open
The outer solar system has a diverse range of objects, holding important clues about the formation and evolution of our solar system, the emergence and current distribution of life, and the physical processes controlling both our own and e…
View article: Exploration Strategy for the Outer Planets 2023-2032: Goals and\n Priorities
Exploration Strategy for the Outer Planets 2023-2032: Goals and\n Priorities Open
The outer solar system has a diverse range of objects, holding important\nclues about the formation and evolution of our solar system, the emergence and\ncurrent distribution of life, and the physical processes controlling both our\nown an…
View article: Science Payload for Ice Giant Entry Probes
Science Payload for Ice Giant Entry Probes Open
<p>To discern the origin and evolution of the solar system including the formation of the terrestrial planets, an understanding of giant planet formation and evolution is needed. Among the most important measurements are the atmosphe…
View article: A Joint NASA/ESA Mission Concept for In Situ Probe Explorations of the Ice Giants
A Joint NASA/ESA Mission Concept for In Situ Probe Explorations of the Ice Giants Open
The ice giants Uranus and Neptune are a largely unexplored class of planet that has received only the briefest of glimpses by the Voyager 2 spacecraft. A mission concept for a flagship mission to one of the ice giants includes a NASA-provi…
View article: Qualitative Assessment of Aerocapture and Applications to Future Missions
Qualitative Assessment of Aerocapture and Applications to Future Missions Open
We examine the current state of readiness of aerocapture at several destinations of interest, to identify what technologies are needed and to determine if a technology demonstration mission is required, before the first use of aerocapture …
View article: Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations
Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations Open
The ice giants Uranus and Neptune are the least understood class of planets in our solar system but the most frequently observed type of exoplanets. Presumed to have a small rocky core, a deep interior comprising ~70% heavy elements surrou…
View article: Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations
Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations Open
View article: Scientific Rationale of a Saturn Probe Mission
Scientific Rationale of a Saturn Probe Mission Open
We describe the main scientific goals to be addressed by future in situ exploration of Saturn.
View article: The Hera Saturn entry probe mission
The Hera Saturn entry probe mission Open
View article: Subsurface properties and early activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Subsurface properties and early activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Open
Heat transport and ice sublimation in comets are interrelated processes reflecting properties acquired at the time of formation and during subsequent evolution. The Microwave Instrument on the Rosetta Orbiter (MIRO) acquired maps of the su…