This paper discusses a conceptual mission to Venus which utilizes the Lofted Environmental and Atmospheric Venus Sensors (LEAVES) to investigate the sulfur cycle and the unknown compound that absorbs near-ultraviolet light in the atmosphere. The mission uses two separate spacecraft coupled at launch, an autonomous bus, Demeter, carrying 144 LEAVES probes and a communications orbiter, Persephone, to relay data from the LEAVES to Earth. The LEAVES are estimated to be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3, while the spacecraft consists of parts at TRL 9. The unique launch mechanism for the LEAVES is at a TRL of 1-2, and the mission meets the Concept Maturity Level (CML) requirements for a CML 4 classification.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Brougher, Gregoire
• Osgood, Adam
• Ewen, Jacob
• Love, George
• Baxter, William
• Garry, Isaac

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 118487
• E-project-031224-114741

Mot-clé

• Spacecraft
• SmallSat
• Mission Design
• Communications
• Planetary Science
• Mission Architecture

Advisor

• Lu, Ye

Year

• 2024

Date created

• 2024-03-12

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Source

• E-project-031224-114741

Rights statement

• In Copyright