Deep Six Project Thread

[TMac3000]

I hadn't planned on starting a discussion on this, but it sort of evolved out of the Iron Hill thread.

The Deep Six Project is a plan for a real time mission to Europa. The major challenge will be carrying enough supplies. As suggested, we'll be using an Interplanetary Modular Spacecraft for the flight. I'd like to have it designed and completed by September of next year.

I haven't determined an itinerary yet--the most tempting thought I had was to drill through the ice, but Orbiter doesn't currently support anything like that, so I'm open to other ideas as to what to do when we get there.

This mission will be done under the flag of Real Time Incorporated, a new VSA I will be founding in February

[sorindafabico]

I'm in and all on a specialized craft with high-ISP-VASIMR-like engines (if possible).

[Pipcard]

Won't it take several years to get there?

[T.Neo]

You could use a HVIPS. Ideally, it could get you out to Jupiter in quite a short amount of time... of course, if you want to play things more realistically, you'll be in for a very short trip indeed...

[Mattyv]

I think it can be done in about 2 years (one way) under certain circumstances.

I am currently working on an architecture idea, thought it's just started. TMac can you get me a trajectory analysis using Trajectory Optimization tool for the mission you want. It's not working for me for some reason

[TMac3000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pipcard

 Won't it take several years to get there?

Thirty months via Hohmann orbit, considerably less if we go with VASIMR or HVIPS. This is going to require patience and tenacity

---------- Post added at 05:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Neo

 You could use a HVIPS. Ideally, it could get you out to Jupiter in quite a short amount of time... of course, if you want to play things more realistically, you'll be in for a very short trip indeed...

What is HVIPS exactly? I googled it, but i couldn't find anything relevant...

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------

TOT? I don't have that...I tried downloading it once, but the download was huge...
What I CAN do is pull up a trajectory in IMFD and PM it to you. Expect it soon...

[Mattyv]

I have Matlab, but for some reason it says I don't. It's weird.

[TMac3000]

Okay, they won't let me attach files to PMs (to curb piracy I guess)
So I'll post it here instead. Everything I said in the PM applies

[Mattyv]

Thanks. I may take some liberties with the mission if that's okay. Nothing too serious.

[RisingFury]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMac3000

 Thirty months via Hohmann orbit, considerably less if we go with VASIMR or HVIPS. This is going to require patience and tenacity[COLOR="Red"]

And a UPS...

[BruceJohnJennerLawso]

Just a cautionary thought, but I think th e idea is going to need some proof-of-concept, before any commit is made to it. Our 2 options for a flight of this type both have flaws.

A-Direct Hohman transfer with high thrust propulsion

-too long of a transfer time to stay current with orbiter development (if the 2006-2010-2014 pattern holds up), not to mention maintaining interest in the project.

NTR continual thrust (HVPIS/VASIMIR NTRs)

-still a very long trip time, but manageable. Issue is, can we update the scenario date like in the current IHP plan while the IMS is burning the NTRs? If not youre going to need to ty up computers for very long periods of time.

Hopefully one of these routes can work for us, otherwise the project may not be feasible. I hope it can be done though

[TMac3000]

The Hohmann problem isn't as big as it seems...unless they change the format of scenario files, the current one should be compatible with a new version of Orbiter.

Interest in the project is somewhat more of a problem. That's why we're going to be looking for smart, patient, doggedly tenacious people like you and Sam Edwards to man this flight. A two and a half year flight requires some pretty serious discipline, just as it would in real life

If we're going to do that NTR thing, someone is going to have to write a tutorial on the launch and navigation procedures...

[Mattyv]

I think we can probably do it completely with NERVA-style NTR's.

[T.Neo]

HVIPS wasn't continuous thrust, and that's exactly what killed it. Click here to read the entire thread in all of its hilarious indignity.

Of course, such a ship could make it to Jupiter in no time flat.

[TMac3000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RisingFury

 And a UPS...

Nope. Interrupted real time, Iron Hill style. No way am I asking anyone to tie up their computer for two years