Planetary Observer program
NASA's Planetary Observer program was a space exploration program designed to provide cheaper planetary orbiters[1] by utilising Earth-orbiting satellite components and technology, using solar panels for power, and a common spacecraft bus platform for all Planetary Observer-class probes.[2] Only one spacecraft of this class was eventually constructed, Mars Observer.
History
The series was still-birthed, resulting in only one, failed, mission.
After the “flagship” multibillion-dollar missions of the 1970s, in the 1980s NASA was looking for a new, more affordable direction for the 1990s and beyond. Two projects were conceived by NASA's Solar System Exploration Committee in 1983, the Planetary Observer program, and Mariner Mark II.
The Observer program, starting with the Mars Observer, was envisioned as a series of low-cost missions to the inner solar system, based on commercial Earth satellites, while the Mariner Mark II was to be a series of large spacecraft for the exploration of the outer solar system. [3]
The first Planetary Observer spacecraft to get the go-ahead, was Mars Observer in 1985. [4]
However, Congressionally imposed reductions to FY 1992-93 funding requirements forced NASA to terminate the Planetary Observer program, with just the Mars Observer funded.
List
- Mars Observer
- Lunar Observer (LO) - Proposed 1997 launch[5], would have been sent into a long-term lunar orbit, at 60 miles above the moon's poles.
- Mercury Observer (MO) - Proposed 1997 launch.
Spacecraft
Mars Observer
Mars Observer was an unmanned spacecraft designed to study the geoscience and climate of Mars. The first of the proposed Observer series of planetary missions, it was launched by NASA on September 25, 1992. Three days before Mars Observer was scheduled to enter the orbit of Mars, contact with the spacecraft was lost. Attempts to re-establish communication with the spacecraft were unsuccessful.
Lunar Observer
The Lunar Observer program was started with an estimated budget of $500-700 million US. The proposed orbit was 70km above the surface. The Lunar Observer spacecraft garnered some attention from the Soviet Union, and there was a suggestion that they might cooperate with NASA to field some instruments for it. [6]
LO was proposed for FY1991 at $188 million US by President George H.W. Bush. [7]
Mercury Observer
References
- ^ Associated Press, "NASA PICKS BASIC SPACESHIP OVER AWESOME ALTERNATIVE", Friday, Nov. 6, 1992 (accessed 20 Feb 2009)
- ^ Into the Black, Peter J. Westwick, Yale University Press, 2007, pp.175
- ^ New York Times, "NASA Turns From Custom Design to Standard Models", JOHN NOBLE WILFORD, March 7, 1989 (accessed 20 Feb 2009)
- ^ Science News, "New starts and tough choices at NASA", Jonathan Eberhart, 19 October 1985
- ^ New York Times, "New Phase on the Moon: U.S. Weighs a Return", WILLIAM J. BROAD, July 17, 1989 (accessed 20 Feb 2009)
- ^ Deseret News, "2 Satellites to Orbit Moon in '96, U. physicist says", Bruce Hills, Sunday 25 February 1990, page A1
- ^ Associated Press, "MARS EXPEDITION TAB MAY BE ASTRONOMICAL", Harry F. Rosenthal, Saturday, May 12, 1990 (accessed 20 Feb 2009)
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