A Concept of Operations for an Interstellar Probe Mission

Abstract

Launching a probe beyond our solar system into interstellar space has been a goal of the space science community since the first decadal survey. In June 2018, the NASA Heliophysics Division, tasked the Johns Hopkins University - Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) with studying the mission. The study focused on a pragmatic Interstellar Probe with the ability to operate at 1000 au and a design lifetime of 50 years. It assessed technical readiness for a launch in 2030 to help support the next round of Decadal Surveys covering the time frame of 2023–2032. A large, international team of scientists analyzed the compelling science goals and requirements, iterated with mission architectures led by a team at JHU/APL to find realistic solutions that close technically and scientifically. This paper describes the concept of operations for the baseline mission developed during the study. First, the mission timeline and phases are discussed. Then assumptions for telecommunications coverage for the mission phases are described. Next, baseline science and spacecraft operations are detailed. Last, the ground system and mission operations during the 50-year mission are discussed.