MISSION PROPOSAL
SEPTA, or Survey of EPS-451 Planets and Their Atmospheres, is designed to
take a visual survey with a primary fly-by and then a physical survey of
some of the atmospheres of the second and third planets of the EPS-451
system via an atmospheric descent
probe. The eventual purpose of this is to find out whether the planets are indeed capable of supporting life, in terms of their planetary composition and their atmospheric makeup and condition.
The fly-by probe will embody the first portion of the mission. On board equipment will include the following equpipment. A Magnetometer to measure the magnetic fields within the system; Imaging Spectrograph determines the minerals within a planet, and is more effective than spectrophotometer. The High Resolution Wide Field Planetary Camera enables the probe to take pictures of absolutely everything. Large and backup solar panels provide the power, while two regular DPUs plus one backup DPU provide the computing AI for the instruments and components. Also, a light meteoric shield is provided for protection against meteoric bombardment. The total weight of the probe itself plus the onboard components is 92.2 kg, well below the maximum allowable weight of 100kg. Also, its $74M cost is under budget for the allowed $75M. In terms of power, the onboard solar panels will provide ample power for the 57w system for the duration of the probe's presence within EPS-451.
The atmospheric descent probe will embody the second portion of the
mission. Onboard equipment will include numerous pieces of equipment to
take in the necessary information. The 2 Atmospheric analyzer are used to
determine the makeup and composition of the planetary atmospheres. The
Wide Field Camera is used to take low-resolution pictures of the planets,
and is used in conjunction with the Multi-Filter add on. The Atmospheric
Sensing Package is used to detect the temperature, pressure, velocity of
the atmosphere. The 3 DPUs will provide computer support for the systems,
both on the probe and on the atmospheric descent unit. The Low Resolution
Imager will be used to create images of the ground while the descent probe
is within the atmosphere. 2 ion batteries will provide the power of the
atmospheric descent probe. The 2 solar panels provide the power to the
craft while in space, and a light meteoric shield protects the craft from
small-scale bombardment by space dust and small asteroids. At $74.7M, the
project is still underbudget, and well beneath the max weight with a
current weight of 90.4 kg out of a possible 100kg. Again, the 62w required
by the onboard equipment is well supplied by the ample solar panels,
including one spare panel, incase of malfunction.
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