Call For Bids
Synopsis
It has been nearly 30 years since mankind sent a lander to the surface of Venus. The lifetimes of previous landers have been limited to only a few hours, since the extraordinarily high temperatures have prohibited conventional electronics from operating on the surface of the planet. Yet there is much we would still like to know about Venus. For starters, we suspect but have never confirmed the degree of the planet's seismic activity.
The NASA is selecting competitive proposals for a scientific mission to Venus that lasts for 90 days and streams seismic data back to Earth. Your company is planning to submit a mission proposal to NASA, which will select the mission based on a combination of criteria that emphasizes low cost and likelihood of success.
System Components
Due to the multiplicity of talents within the group and the "systems" nature of the class, all aspects of the mission design should be explored in the final proposal. Communication systems should receive the most design focus, but the final project should address all of the following systems:
- Communication Systems - Antennas, RF hardware, modulation, spectral usage, peak data output, bit rate, coding, etc. A key aspect will be demonstrating that the proposed transmission can make it through the atmosphere of Venus for reliable communications.
- Propulsion System - Engine type, trajectory, and voyage time, single craft system or additional (and more expensive) relay orbiter.
- Power Systems - Power source, peak power output, estimated lifetime, etc. Thermal-proofing the power system is critical.
- Resiliency of electronics - Discuss strategies for space-hardening and heat-hardening the electronics for the duration of the mission. Identify the likely points of failure.
- Budget and timeline - Total research and development costs broken into materials, equipment, supplies, people costs, space resources, and other miscellaneous costs.