New Horizons, Interstellar Probe, and the Exploration of the Outer Heliosphere and VLISM
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Nearing the Boundary:
New Horizons, Interstellar Probe, and the Exploration
of the Outer Heliosphere and VLISM
Outer Heliosphere Workshop (Hybrid), 21-23 July 2021, LASP, Boulder, CO
Pontus C. Brandt and the Interstellar Probe Study Team and
Community (484 members latest count)
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA.
pontus.brandt@jhuapl.edu
Local Cloud AQL Cloud
Alpha Centauri
G Cloud
Sirius
Blue Cloud
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 2
108 AU 104 AU 1000
1000AU
AU 104 AU 108 AU
Local Cloud
Alpha Centauri
G Cloud
108 AU 104 AU 1000AU
1000 AU 104 AU 108 AU
1000 AU 100 AU 0 100 AU 1000 AU
Voyager 1 (153.5 au)
Interstellar Probe
New Horizons (50.7 au)
Voyager 2 (127.6 au)
1000 AU 100 AU 0 100 AU 1000 AU
Formation of the A new regime of Global Nature The Unknown ISM
1000 AU
heliospheric space physics 0
100 AU and
100 AU Shape
§ Neutrals/plasma 1000 AU
boundary begins § Shock physics § ENA/UV imaging § Interstellar dust
at the Sun § Plasma heating § GCR Origin
§ Interstellar PUIs § Reconnection § Inhomogeneities
§ CME propagation § Hydrogen Wall
§ Astrospheres
Our home in the
galaxy, its origin and
where we are going
Planetary System Galaxy Formation
Solar System Evolution Formation § Extragalactic
§ Circum-Solar Dust Background Light
§ KBOs/Dwarf Planets
Disk
1000 AU 100 AU 0 100 AU 1000 AU
New Horizons:
A Pathfinder for Cross-Divisional Science and Programmatics
§ As our in-situ exploration of space expands into
the Outer Solar System, through the Outer
Heliosphere and beyond, the boundaries of our
pre-conceived disciplines inevitably blur
together.
§ Our protective heliosphere regulates the
penetration of dust, plasma and GCRs, that
have all contributed to the evolutionary balance
of the solar system.
§ At the same time, the access to interstellar
material opens a window to understanding the
local interstellar environment, and galactic and
stellar evolution
§ New Horizons is the pathfinder for how a cross-
divisional approach maximizes science return
§ New Horizons is also potentially a pathfinder for
how to handle this programmatically
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 6
Interstellar Probe
Humanity’s Exploration of Interstellar Space Begins
Primary Goal
Our Habitable Astrosphere and its Home
in the Galaxy
Astrophysics Supporting Goal
Formation of Early Galaxies and Stars
Extragalactic Background Light
Planetary Supporting Goal
Evolution of Planetary Systems
KBOs and Dwarf Planets Dust Disk
Goal 1: Objective 1
A Heliosphere Shaped by the Sun Plowing Through the VLISM
The Global Nature 100 eV ENA
A Gap in a Decisive Energy Range
Bubble
The Termination Shock
>50 keV ENA Comet
Galli+2019
Richardson et al. 2008
Adapted from Gloeckler et al.
DeMajistre+2021
The Outer Heliosphere hosts a new regime of space plasma physics, where non- 300 AU
Opher+2019
thermal (energetic) population and neutral interactions are decisive, none of which
are sufficiently well captured in models.
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 8
Goal 1: Objective 2
A Variable Sun in Changing Interstellar Environment Evolutionary Path of the Heliosphere
Muller et al. 2008
The Breathing Heliosphere
HP at 25 AU in HP at 300 AU
dense cloud in local bubble
Evidence for supernova explosions
found in ocean sediment Fe60 deposits
IBEX (McComas+2020)
Cassini (Dialynas+2017) 3 Myears @ 50 pc
HP at 20 au
Shock Propagation – How far into the VLISM?
360 Myears @ 20 pc
HP at 2-3 au!
Washimi et al. 2011
HP
Heliosheath
Gurnett & Kurth (2019)
TS Courtesy of J. Miller and B. Fields
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 9
Goal 1: Objective 3: Into Unknown Interstellar Space – Mare Incognitum New GCR Science at
Goal 1: Objective 3
Into Unknown Interstellar Space – Mare Incognitum
Linsky and Redfield 2019
Frisch and Mueller 2013
Image Credit to Adler Planetarium, Frisch, Redfield, Linsky
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 11Supporting Goals
Modest Cross-Divisional Contributions with High Return
Dwarf Planets and KBOs Extra-Galactic Background Light
Solar system formation Early galaxy and star formation
Big Bang
13.7 Gya Today
Circum-Solar Dust Disk
Imprint of solar system evolution
Quaoar and
First Stars
Weywoth Sol 4.6 Ga HL-Tau 1 Myears
Orcus and & Galaxies
Vanth ~13Gya
130 dwarf planets and over 4000 Beyond the obscuring Zodiacal cloud, IR
KBOs. Any direction defined by observations can uncover the Extragalactic
Heliophysics offers a at least one Poppe+2019 Background spectrum missing from our
compelling flyby. understanding of early galaxy formation.
A modest IR detector can reveal the large-
scale disk structure critical for understanding
the evolution of planetary systems.
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 12Mission Architecture
§ Study Requirements
§ Nominal Design Lifetime: 50 years
§ Ability to operate at 1000 AU Interstellar Probe Mass (kg)
§ Readiness by 1 January 2030 (Includes contingency)
§ Mass: 850-950 kg Payload 105
§ Power: Two Next Generation RTGs with >300 We (total) Telecommunications 83.4
after 50 years
This sid
Guidance and Control 16.8
e to Ea
§ Payload (two examples) Power 169
rth
§ Mass: ~85 kg, trading lighter and heavier payloads
Thermal Control 70.8
§ Propulsion and Trajectory Avionics 12.8
§ SLS Block 2, Atlas V Centaur, Star-48 BV
§ Passive or powered JGA Propulsion 37.2
§ Telecommunication Mechanical/Structure 150
§ X-band to achieve 500 bps downlink at 1000 AU Harness 29.3
§ Large fixed dish (5m for X-band)
Propellant 106
§ Control Total 793
§ Spinning or three-axis depending on payload, thruster-only control
Margin 80
Launch Mass 873
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 13Example Payload and Accommodation PWS: Four 50-m spin
Heliophysics Baseline plane wire antennas
RTGs
NMS: Forward deck at angle
to ram direction
IDA: Forward deck at angle to ram direction
CRS: Two perpendicular
telescopes LYA: Side deck with
scanning mirror
PLS, PUI, EPS: Mounted on
extended structure for 4pi
coverage
This sid
ENA: Mounted on extended
e to Ea
structure for maximum coverage
rth
MAG: 2 Flux Gates on 10-m axial boom
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 14Example Model Payloads
Instrument Mission
Measurement Requirements Science Driver
(Heritage) Requirements
Baseline Magnetometer (MAG) 0.01 - 100 nT; 0.01 nT ≤60 s; LISM
87.4 kg (MMS/DFG) (10-8 nT2/Hz turb.) (100 Hz)
Two FG, 10m boom
(turbulence)
86.7 W
Plasma Waves (PWS) ~1 Hz – 1 MHz; ∆f/f≤4% ≤60 s 4x50 m wire; LISM ne, Te (QTN),
Charged Particles (Van Allen/EFW) ≤0.7 µV/m @ 3 kHz (≤ 4 s at TS) spin plane turbulence
Fields and Waves Plasma Subsystem (PLS) ~eV to 10's keV Flows, ne, Te, ni, Ti
(PSP/SWEAP/SPAN-A)
~4π; ≤60 s Spinning
ENA Imaging e, H+, He+, C+, N-O+ Force balance
0.5-78 keV/q
Dust Pick-up Ions (PUI) Interstellar, inner PUI
H, 3He, 4He, C, 14N, 16O, 20Ne, 22Ne, Mg, iFOV: 60˚ Spinning
(Ulysses/SWICS) Force balance
Neutrals Si, Fe (charge states)
Ly-alpha Energetic Particles (EPS) 10's keV – 1’s MeV S/W, HS and ACRs
~4π; ≤60 s Spinning
(PSP/EPI-Lo) H, 3He, 4He, C, O, Ne, Mg, Si, Fe (Li/BeB) Force balance
Cosmic Rays (CRS) H to Sn; ≤1 GeV/nuc; ∆m= 1 amu ≥2 directions; ACRs, GCRs
Spinning
14% (PSP/EPI-Hi, new development) electrons; ≤10 MeV daily LiBeB cosmic story
Interstellar Dust Analyzer (IDA) Ram direction ISDs, galactic heavy ion
30% 1-500 amu; m/Δm: ≥ 200 iFOV: 90˚
(IMAP/IDEX, new development) Co-boresighted NMS composition
11%
Neutral Mass Spectrometer (NMS) H to Fe, m/Δm > 100 (1σ) iFOV: 10˚; Ram direction
LISM composition
(LunaResurs/NGMS, JUICE/NMS) 1 – 300 u/e weekly Co-boresighted IDA
12% ENA (ENA) iFOV: 170° x Shape, force balance,
~1-100 keV; H (He, O goal) Spinning, 2 heads
(IMAP/Ultra, new development) 90° ribbon/belt
19%
14% Lyman-Alpha Spectrograph (LYA) iFOV: 5˚;
(MAVEN/IUVS, new development)
120-130 nm; 0.004nm Spinning LISM and heliosheath H
140˚ monthly
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 15Interstellar Probe Example Trajectories
Scenario: Passive JGA
Configuration: SLS Block 2
+Atlas V Centaur + Star
48 BV
Mass: 860 kg
Speed: 7.0-7.5 au/year
TS: 12-13 years
HP: 16-17 years
Jupiter: 9 months
Option A Orcus: 4 years
Launch 2036
180˚ elon, -20˚elat
Option B Option C
Launch 2037 Launch 2041
205˚ elon, 0˚elat 295˚ elon, 0˚elat
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 16Concluding Remarks
§ NASA is looking to expand the boundaries of Heliophysics
§ New Horizons is the only mission that will have measured PUIs through the TS, also in the
interesting direction of the ribbon, and dust distribution farther than any mission before
§ New Horizons is the second unique demonstration that science becomes cross-divisional the
farther we explore
§ Therefore, New Horizons should be considered a pathfinder for expanding the boundaries of space
physics and for programmatically pave the way for cross-divisional science
§ The Interstellar Probe Study and New Horizons share a lot of the large, enthusiastic community
that have all helped formulating the science. Coordination is beneficial and should continue.
§ Further advocacy for OH/VLISM in the community and The Hill is needed. Helio Decadal is around
the corner.
§ The Interstellar Probe Final Concept Study Report writing has begun. Look for draft later this
summer!
§ See: interstellarprobe.jhuapl.edu
Fun Fact
New Horizons may cross the HP around the same time Interstellar Probe would cross the TS
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 17Gravity Assist here
Begin.
Sign up to take part: interstellarprobe.jhuapl.edu
pontus.brandt@jhuapl.edu
Outer Heliosphere Workshop 23 July 2021 18You can also read
