Overcoming Genesis mission design challenges

Abstract

Genesis is the fifth mission selected as part of NASA's Discovery Program. The objective of Genesis is to collect solar wind samples for a period of approximately 2 years while in a halo orbit about the Sun–Earth colinear libration point, L1, located between the Sun and Earth. At the end of this period, the spacecraft follows a free-return trajectory with the samples delivered to a specific recovery point on the Earth for subsequent analysis. This type of sample return has never been attempted before and presents a formidable challenge, particularly with regard to planning and execution of propulsive maneuvers. Moreover, since the original inception, additional challenges have arisen as a result of emerging spacecraft design concerns and operational constraints. This paper will describe how these challenges have been met to date in the context of the better-faster-cheaper paradigm. [This paper addresses an earlier mission design, as of May 2000.]