IPPW8 Workshop Session Descriptions

Session

Title

Description

1

Opening; Outlook for Probe Missions

This is the opening session and will include the presesntation of the Alvin Seiff Memorial Award and invited speakers from NASA, ESA, and other agencies.

2

Probe Missions

The session will review current projects, concepts, and studies for in-situ exploration missions. The possible mission elements will be discussed, such as landers, probes, light gas and hot air balloons, miniaturised in-situ elements, etc. Communication, through orbiter, direct link with Earth, and VLBI, as well as mission critical areas will also be addressed.

3

Science from Probes and Penetrators

The session will review recent progress in planetary and satellite studies, reporting analyses of previous descent probe or associated remote observations, discuss the goals and strategies for probe science, science instruments and operations from conception to data archival. In addition this session will include aspects of planetary environments and their definition from science data, such as the generation of wind models and studies on the interaction of vehicles, sampling systems and instruments with surfaces and atmospheres.

4

EDL Technology Development

This session is dedicated to discussion on state-of-the-art EDL technology developments. Articles on EDL technology development issues and challenges, including high-mass EDL systems, are welcome. Papers on EDL GN&C topics and atmospheric deceleration technologies  (parachutes, inflatable devices, rigid heatshields, aerobraking devices) are also sought.  Discussions can include subsystem improvements such as landing sensor technology as well as high-level system and architecture concepts and lessons learned from past missions.

5

Science Instrumentation

The session will cover science sensors, instruments, and instrument systems including heat shield instrumentation, applicable to planetary entry and in situ probes, required for Giant Planet missions (e.g. Saturn and Neptune) as well as those necessary for other destinations such as Mars, Venus, Titan and Europa. 

6A

New Technologies

This session features new technologies related to extreme environments, sample handling and acquisition, terminal descent sensors, impact attenuation and landing systems, separation systems, radiation hardened electronics, power systems, and other enabling entry probe technologies. Papers reporting cross-cutting technologies are also strongly encouraged.

6B

Aeroassist and Experimental Missions

This session includes recent and ongoing missions, studies, and tests related to aeroassist maneuvers like aerocapture and aerobraking.  Technology gaps, issues and challenges, and roadmaps associated with future mission opportunities are also welcomed.  The description of on-going and planned Earth experimental missions is also covered, emphasizing their technological link with exploration missions. Specific aspects of the EDL Mission design like the landing site selection, the engineering constraints during EDL phases or high precision landing targeting will be subjects of discussion as well as recent probe trajectory reconstruction methods and results.

7A

Advances in TPS Technology for Planetary Probe Design

This session will highlight recent developments in thermal protection systems and materials and their application to planetary probes or other entry vehicle concepts. Talks will include new developmental ablative and non-ablative TPS materials including both rigid and flexible/conformable systems, advances in thermal or thermostructural response modeling, development and application of margin methodologies, reliability estimation, advanced in-situ or remote instrumentation techniques, novel testing or validation approaches, and manufacturing or scalability challenges on large aeroshells.

7B

Airless Body Surface Missions

This session reviews current projects, concepts, and studies for in-situ missions of airless bodies in the solar system. Lander, penetrator, and impactor missions will be discussed including mission concepts, key mission elements (descent, communications, power, thermal control, etc.) operations strategies, and payload capabilities. Lessons learned from earlier missions, developments, and studies will be included. Technology gaps and associated roadmaps associated with future mission opportunities will also be covered.

8

Closing Session

This session includes general talks, student awards, feedback from participants, a discussion on future IPPWs, and closing remarks.