Last update: 1 May 1997
It is now 2100, and the data from the Eliot missions is being received and processed. For the latest information, see the Eliot Mission Highlights Page.
For the data arranged by target, see the Planetary Data Archive.
In the year 2020, NASA has decided to explore the Eliot star system, discovered less than a decade earlier. It was determined that the proper policy was to send a large number of probes, rather than a single large comprehensive mission. To that end, NASA invites your proposals for the exporation of Eliot! The missions are to be launched in 2030, with the probes reaching Eliot in 2068. It will take an additional 30 years for the data to reach us, in the year 2100.
Each mission should target an individual planet or body in the Eliot system. The inclination of the ecliptic of Eliot's system to our line of sight makes it difficult to do multiple planet flybys. Due to the small allowed payload size and total cost, only a few instruments will be able to be included in each mission. Choose those instruments that are likely to give the best information on a particular aspect of interest for the target. Because the Eliot system is distant, and real-time communication is impossible, an on-board artificial intellgence expert system will conduct the spacecraft operations, using guidelines that you supply for contingencies. Be sure to also include enough power generation or batteries to conduct the mission.
The goal of the Mission to Eliot program is to learn as much as we can about the Eliot system. Currently, using our Lunar based observatory, we know only the orbits and approximate types of planets to be found there. Determining even the most basic parameters, such as masses, diameters, temperatures, composition, and magnetic fields of the bodies in this system will be extremely useful. It might be useful to coordinate missions with other class members, though each mission is separately launched.
Due to congressional budget pressures, the results of the 2020 election, cost over-runs on the Hephaestus rocket, and the relatively low response so far to the call for proposals, NASA announced that the allowed budget for the Eliot mission, which began at $80 millon, was reduced to $75 million. It is believed that through de-scoping and cooperation between missions, no significant loss in science capability would result from the cuts.
Announcement of Opportunity
Eliot Planetary System Information
Table of Mission Instrumentation
Spacecraft Instrument Descriptions
Guide to Proposals
An Example Mission Proposal
A List of Missions and Links to Mission Pages
Mission Highlights
Eliot Planetary Data Archive
Extra Credit Problem Set 9
Credits: This project was based on an assignment designed by Rick Rees. TAs David Mestre and Limin Wang helped me put together the instrument package and provide "data" for the missions. Most of the planet and satellite "images" were created in Bryce 2 (great program!) and processed in Adobe Photoshop. A few of the planet images of Phlebas were created in Fractal Design Detailer and processed in Photoshop. The image of the solar flare on Eliot was modified from a NASA image from SOHO. The rest of our original images are Copyright Steven Myers and David Mestre 1996.
smyers@nrao.edu Steven T. Myers