Planetary and Lunar Exploration Space Science in the Twenty-First Century -- Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015 (1988) / Chapter Skim
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2. Scientific Goals and Recommendations
2. Scientific Goals and Recommendations
Pages 4-18
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From page 4... ...
Research aimed at understanding the origin of the solar system focuses on those objects thought to retain clues about the primordial conditions and processes that contributed to the system's formation. Although critical information is obtained from measurements made of the evolved planets, the most detailed clues come from investigations of those small primitive objects that have changed little since the time of formation in the protoplanetary nebula: comets, asteroids, and certain meteorites.
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From page 5... ...
Substantial advances in understanding can be realized by investigating, as a class, the terrestrial planets and their close analogs. The major targets of comparative terrestrial planet research beyond Earth are Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon.
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From page 6... ...
Investigations of the composition of cosmic matter and primitive solar system matter show that the basic building blocks of terrestrial life, including amino acids, occur naturally at least in trace amounts. One of the most significant challenges in understanding the origin and distribution of life is to determine the extent to which special terrestrial conditions were involved in prebiotic chemical evolution.
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From page 7... ...
The giant planets provide clues about properties of matter under high pressures; planetary interiors and magnetospheres demonstrate the curious behaviors of magnetized fluids and plasmas; and planetary atmospheres and surfaces present puzzles about long-term evolution of the complex interacting systems that constitute planetary environments and interiors. A BALANCED PLANETARY PROGRAM Altogether, progress toward realizing these goals requires a balanced program of science and exploration encompassing studies of the planets and their satellites, asteroids and comets in our solar system, and star-forming regions and other planetary systems.
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From page 8... ...
to discover the possible varieties and causes of diverse planetary environments. Achievement of this goal requires comparative studies of the various terrestrial planets and satellites, as well as intensive studies of the changes that individual planetary environments undergo.
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From page 9... ...
If implemented, the recommendations will advance -our understanding of the solar system on the broad front that is needed to progress toward answering some of mankind's longest-standing questions about the cosmos. A recommended Mars focus within that broad-based program will further our understanding of the terrestrial planets, including Earth, and will address pressing questions about planetary environments and their stability.
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From page 10... ...
NASA's own Solar System Exploration Committee (SSEC) , formed in 1980, was charged with providing an implementation plan for the COMPLEX strategies and did so in two reports: Planetary Exploration Through Year 2000 A Core Program (1983)
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From page 11... ...
investigation orbiter, transponder lander, sensor network sensor network sample return sample return, sensor network, rover sensor network roarer, sample return in situ human investigations multiple rendezvous sample return in situ human in~restigatione deep probe polar orbiter lander, sensor network probe, deep probe orbiter rendezvous probe lander probe, deep probe orbiter probe orbiter to be determined orbiter telescope on Space Station advanced telescopes in space
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From page 12... ...
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From page 15... ...
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From page 16... ...
Analytical instruments on probes offer the only means of measuring noble gases and isotopic abundances, which are almost the only clues to planetary origin and evolution. Such probing of planets whose surfaces are inaccessible can be regarded as the equivalent of sample return for rocky and icy bodies.
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From page 17... ...
Intelligent sample return requires use of rovers, which can carry out geological and perhaps geochemical studies as well. further geological work requires a human presence, either literally or at the end of a control and communication link, unless a remarkable amount of intelligence can be built into robotic devices.
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From page 18... ...
An integral part of the recommended program is adequate support for analysis and interpretation of the data returned from it, including maintenance of the intellectual base for scientific activity. Theoretical, laboratory, ground-based, and earth-orbital studies must be supported; this support includes upgrading bay oratory instrumentation and computing equipment, as well as maintaining adequate programs of research and analysis.
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