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SPRITE (spacecraft)
Proposed NASA Saturn atmospheric probe mission concept / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SPRITE (Saturn PRobe Interior and aTmospheric Explorer) was a proposed Saturn atmospheric probe mission concept of the NASA. SPRITE is a design for an atmospheric entry probe that would travel to Saturn from Earth on its own cruise stage, then enter the atmosphere of Saturn, and descend taking measurements in situ.
Quick Facts Names, Mission type ...
Names | Saturn PRobe Interior and aTmospheric Explorer |
---|---|
Mission type | Atmospheric probe |
Operator | NASA |
Mission duration | Cruise: 10 years (planned) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | SPRITE |
Spacecraft type | Atmospheric probe |
Bus | CRSC |
Dimensions | Atmospheric probe: 86.7 x 53.6 cm |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | November 2024 (proposed) |
Rocket | Atlas V 401 (proposed) |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-41 |
Contractor | United Launch Alliance (ULA) |
Saturn atmospheric probe | |
Spacecraft component | Atmospheric probe |
Atmospheric entry | November 2034 (proposed) |
Flyby of Saturn | |
Spacecraft component | CRSC |
Closest approach | November 2034 (proposed) |
Distance | ≈100 000 km |
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