Pioneer Venus & Galileo Probe Development: Comparison/Assessment
Abstract
This paper provides a comparison and assessment of the Pioneer Venus Large Probe and the Galileo Probe Development Programs. The Pioneer Venus Probe entered and descended through the Venus atmosphere measuring the characteristics of the atmosphere to the surface on December 9, 1978. The Galileo Probe entered the atmosphere of Jupiter on December 7, 1995 making measurements of the Jovian atmosphere to a pressure of 25 bars. Both missions were highly successful in meeting the mission goals and requirements. Data collected by the science instrument payloads provided detailed information to increase our understanding of the planetary atmospheres (structure, composition, cloud makeup, wind characteristics, energy balance, etc.).
The two probes were similar in overall size, shape and mass. However, the designs were significantly different due to differences in the entry and descent conditions, and in the mission requirements. There were also dramatic differences in the character of the development programs, driven primarily by decisions and events outside the control of the Galileo Project. This paper compares the major features of the two projects, including changes driven by outside events/decisions, the mission environments, and resulting designs. Design challenges and surprises, and major test issues encountered are described along with resolution of problems. Finally, lessons learned and general reflections are presented.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Improving Electroencephalograph Probe Placement with Digital Signal ProcessingImproving Electroencephalograph Probe Placement with Digital Signal Processing
Hayes, NicholasTheta waves (theta), sharp wave ripples (SWRs), and spikes are common waveforms that appear in local field potentials (LFPs) within the rodent brain. LFPs are collected using an electroencephalogram (EEG) probe in vivo, ... -
The Wirtanen Analysis and Surface Probe: Concept for a New Frontiers Comet Surface Sample Return Mission
Winfield, A.; Karpowicz, Bryan M.; Smith, B.; Miller, Charles; Masiero, J.; Block, K.; Wye, L.; Smith, Matthew; Lanza, N.; Byram, S.; Singer, S.; Balint, Tibor S. (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-06-24)As participants in NASA's 2007 Planetary Science Summer School, we have designed a New Frontiers class mission to extract a 0.5 kg surface sample from a cometary nucleus and return it to Earth. Comets contain primordial ... -
Student Project: International Offset for Space - Offsets Enable Planetary Probe Technology Exchanges Internationally
Baklashov, Aleksey M.; Grady, J.; Papadopoulos, Periklis; Le, T. (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-06-24)Offset or industrial participation is a practice that is part of many large international transactions. In the event of a large international transaction involving the purchase of a product (e.g.: equipment or services), ...