Voyager 3: A Concept Mission to Interstellar Medium

Abstract

Voyager 3 is a concept mission that sends a space telescope to the interstellar medium in a reasonable amount of time. Voyager 3 would take a direct image of an exoplanet using the solar gravitational lensing at the distance of 550 astronomical unit (AU). The spacecraft would use its suite of scientific instruments to study the environment of the local solar system and interstellar medium and finalize its primary mission by imaging an exoplanet. Two potential architectures are proposed to meet this mission directive, using multiple gravitational assists and sizable electric propulsion burns to achieve the high escape speeds necessary to reach 550 AU. This paper expands on the science mission objectives, trajectory, and the preliminary design of the baseline spacecraft.