The Oceanus spacecraft is comprised of an orbiter vehicle and two atmospheric entry probes. The first entry probe is delivered into the atmosphere of Saturn as the spacecraft performs a gravity assist on its way to Uranus. The second entry probe is delivered into the atmosphere of Uranus prior the orbiter capturing into orbit using the impulsive burn of one of its two liquid rocket engines. In order to receive data from the probes and transmit data back to Earth, a 4-meter diameter high gain antenna (HGA) serves as the primary method of communication. The orbiter is powered by a set of 5 enhanced multi-mission radioisotope thermo-electric generators that are designed to sustain the orbiter for up to 3 years after arriving at Uranus.
The Oceanus orbiter with its two atmospheric probes. A high gain antenna (HGA) is the main method of communication and a pair of liquid rocket engines provide propulsion.
Oceanus spacecraft with magnetometer (MAG), supra-thermal particle imager (SPI), and plasma waves analyzer (PWA) instruments deployed.
Mounted on the orbiter is a set of 9 science instruments. The suite includes cameras, optical spectrometers, particle sensors, radio antennas, a magnetometer, and even a dust impact detector. The orbiter’s high gain antenna can also be used for science experiments, particularly radio occultations of Uranus’ rings and atmosphere. Instruments are based on successful heritage experiments from previous missions. The spacecraft itself is 3-axis stabilized and is budgeted with additional propellant to allow for targeting satellite flybys.
Oceanus’ atmospheric entry probes contain a payload of 5 atmospheric experiments for measuring the conditions of the shallow atmosphere on Saturn and Uranus. The experiments are contained inside of a pressure vessel that is itself shielded from the extreme heat of atmospheric entry by an aeroshell. The aeroshell is coated in a thermal protection system (TPS) made from an advanced 3D carbon weave. The Saturn and Uranus probes are nearly identical except for slightly different aeroshell sizes, which are optimized for atmospheric entry at their respective destinations.
Exploded view of the atmospheric probes structure.