Planetary Exploration, 1968-1975; Report of a Study by the Space Science Board, Washington, D.C., June 1968 (1968) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 3-18
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From page 3... ...
Our view is that no single goal, such as the determination of whether life exists in other parts of the solar Fystem, should be set for the planetary program. Rather, it should be emphasized that the scientific return from planetary exploration will flow into many areas of science and thereby strengthen them.
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3. Priorities in Planetary Exploration At present, the planetary program is limited by resources rather than by technology, lack of competent scientists, or important ideas.
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This is particularly vital during these times of uncertainty concerning support of the larger missions. A continuing program with numerous opportunities for planetary research using relatively inexpensive planetary orbiters makes it possible to: (1)
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With such a payload there are a number of exciting possibilities for fundamental studies of the atmospheres and surfaces of these planets as well as of the solar wind interaction regions and the interplanetary medium. With an ongoing program that includes flights to both planets at every opportunity, it is possible to plan both integrated payloads that incorporate a number of related experimental packages of relatively small size and payloads consisting of a single, large instrument for imaging in, for example, the visual, infrared, radio, or active radar bands.
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Pressure and temperature profiles of the atmospheres of Mars and Venus obtained by radio occultation in the Mariner 4 and 5 flights provided our first accurate measurements of these two markedly different samples of the types of atmospheres that can evolve from planetary bodies. In fact, occultation data in conjunction with radar studies from Earth, radio tracking of Mariner 5, and the results of the Soviet Venus 4 probe, have established that atmospheric parameters near the mean surface of Venus at low to medium latitudes and at all times of the day are quite different than was first thought on the basis of the direct Soviet measurements alone.
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From page 8... ...
1973-75 Depending upon previous results, the total spacecraft may be devoted to bistatic radar imaging of the surface, optical and infrared imaging of the cloud tops, microwave emission (temperature) imaging, or to an integrated set of experiments to study the region of interaction between the upper atmosphere and the solar wind, including measurements of the interplanetary medium at 0.7 AU.
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. The analysis of the atmosphere should include helium and the argon and neon isotopes since the relative proportions of these elements could yield information on processes that affected the primitive atmosphere and on the possibility of secondary outgassing, solar wind accretion and solar wind sweeping.
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A 1-lb life detection experiment may be feasible.
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From page 11... ...
. This instrument, which includes a water vapor sensor at the output of the DTA unit, will allow positive identification of water in the soil sample, including liquid water, ice, water of crystallization, and hydroxyl water.
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In view of the large number of remarkable discoveries already obtained by radar and its high potential for further advances, we advocate its support as part of the NASA planetary program. In particular we have in mind greater use of the Deep Space Network and improvement of its capability for radar observations, the upgrading of other radar facilities, and the construction of new ones.
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(b) Planetary Observations from Near-Earth Orbit The NASA planetary program should take account of the Earth-orbital telescopes that are being planned for the mid-1970's.
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. In light of these considerations, we recommend that the NASA planetary program planning be closely coordinated with the Earth-orbital telescopes being designed for the mid1970' s and with the infrared aircraft telescopes now under construction.
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We recommend that NASA develop a summer institute program expressly designed to introduce interested scientists and engineers to the science, technology, and administration of the planetary program. Participants would include graduate students, junior and senior university faculty, NASA and industry scientists and engineers.
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Therefore we recommend that those resources presently intended for support of manned planetary programs be reallocated to programs for instrumented investigation of the planets. The scientific investigations recommended in the 1965 study and in this report apply directly to the proper planning of any eventual manned program, but they should be viewed in terms of their contribution to the major scientific goals of the NASA program rather than in support of manned exploration of the planets.
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The experiments aboard Mariner 5, which flew by Venus shortly after the entry of the Soviet probe, in part confirmed by indirect radio techniques what the Soviets had obtained by in situ observation. Apparently the Soviet experiments were not carried through to completion and radar observations carried out in the United States were needed fully to interpret the Soviet results.
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From page 18... ...
-18We recommend a coordinated effort involving representatives of NASA, the Department of State, and the National Academy of Sciences with the purpose of informally contacting knowledgeable Soviet scientists in regard to the possibility of joint planning of planetary exploration. Such early discussions should provide the basis for more formal intergovernmental agreements.
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