2020/07/23 by T. M. Eubanks, Eubanks, T. Marshall, Jean Schneider +7
Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · #Astro and Planetary Science #Atmospheric Ozone and Climate #Photocathodes and Microchannel Plates
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2007.12480
The recent discovery of the first confirmed Interstellar Objects (ISOs)\npassing through the Solar System on clearly hyperbolic objects opens the\npotential for near term ISO missions, either to the two known objects, or to\nsimilar objects found in the future. Such ISOs are the only exobodies we have a\nchance of accessing directly in the near future. This White Paper focuses on\nthe science possible from in situ spacecraft exploration of nearby ISOs. Such\nspacecraft missions are technically possible now and are suitable potential\nmissions in the period covered by the 2023-2032 Decadal Survey. Spacecraft\nmissions can determine the structure and the chemical and isotopic composition\nof ISO in a close flyby coupled with a small sub-probe impactor and either a\nmass spectrometer or a high resolution UV spectrometer; this technology will\nalso be useful for fast missions to TransNeptune Objects (TNOs) and long period\ncomets. ISO exploration holds the potential of providing considerable\nimprovements in our knowledge of galactic evolution, of planetary formation,\nand of the cycling of astrobiologically important materials through the galaxy.\n