We propose to study an innovative small next-generation atmospheric probe (snap) as a secondary payload for future missions that flyby or orbit giant planets. Snap's main scientific objectives are…

This is a grant awarded by NASA to Hampton University, a private, non-profit historically Black university, to study a Small Next-generation Atmospheric Probe (SNAP) as a secondary payload for future missions that flyby or orbit giant planets. The proposed SNAP probe would measure the vertical distribution of clouds, chemical species, thermal stratification, and wind speeds on these planets. As a case study, the award examines the feasibility, benefits, and impacts of adding SNAP to the future Uranus Orbiter and Probe flagship mission. The $190,360 grant leverages the university's expertise in entry, descent, and landing systems, as well as its long history of conducting atmospheric and planetary science research for NASA. The proposed work aligns with NASA's science priorities outlined in the 2014 NASA Science Plan and the 2013 Planetary Science Decadal Survey.

We propose to study an innovative small next-generation atmospheric probe (snap) as a secondary payload for future missions that flyby or orbit giant planets. Snap's main scientific objectives are to determine the vertical distribution of clouds and cloud-forming chemical species, thermal stratification, and wind speed as a function of depth. As a case study, we will examine the advantages, cost and risk of adding snap to the future uranus orbiter and probe flagship mission; in combination with the mission s main probe, snap would perform atmospheric in-situ measurements at a second location, and thus enable and enhance the scientific objectives recommended by the 2013 planetary science decadal survey and the 2014 NASA science plan to determine atmospheric spatial variabilities. We envision that the science objectives can be achieved with a 30-KG entry probe ~0.5M in diameter (less than half the size of the galileo probe) that reaches 5-bar pressure-altitude and returns data to earth via the carrier spacecraft. As the baseline instruments, the probe will carry an atmospheric structure instrument (ASI) that measures the temperature, pressure and acceleration, a carbon nanotubebased nanochem atmospheric composition sensor, and an ultra-stable oscillator (USO) to conduct a doppler wind experiment (DWE). While snap is applicable to multiple planets, we will examine the feasibility, benefits and impacts of adding snap to the uranus orbiter and probe flagship mission. The scientific objectives of the proposed snap concept address the 2014 NASA science plan. The in-situ atmospheric explorations enabled by snap will lead to improved understanding of the chemical and physical processes that shape giant planet atmospheres, which in turn will shed light on the formation and evolution processes of the giant planets and the outer solar system. As stated in the 2013 planetary science decadal survey, the composition measurements will also provide chemical evidence in support of planetary migration studies, and thus improve our understanding of the giant planets' role in promoting a habitable planetary system. Our mission design team leverages the extensive experience of the NASA langley research center (larc) entry, descent, and landing group in designing, testing, building, and operating atmospheric descent probes. Our proposal is led by a principle investigator (PI) with a breadth of experience in observational and theoretical investigations of giant planet atmospheres and a lead engineer CO-investigator (CO-i) with extensive experience leading flight mission design teams. The PI is also supported by science and mission design CO-i's who bring extensive experience and capabilities in planetary mission planning, implementation, execution, and data analysis.