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{{short description|NASA proposed space probe to 1000 AU from the Sun}}
[[File:Innovative Interstellar Explorer interstellar space probe .jpg|thumb|Early concept art for the explorer]]
'''Innovative Interstellar Explorer''' was a [[NASA]] "Vision Mission" study funded by NASA following a proposal under NRA-03-OSS-01 on 11 September 2003. This study focused on measuring the [[interstellar medium]], the region outside the influence of the nearest star, the [[Sun]].<ref name=NASA>{{cite web|url=http://interstellarexplorer.jhuapl.edu/mission/implementation.html |title=Innovative Interstellar Probe|author=NASA}}</ref> It proposes to use a [[radioisotope thermal generator]] to power [[ion thruster]]s.<ref name=NASA/>

The project is a study of a proposed interstellar precursor mission that would probe the nearby interstellar medium and measure the properties of magnetic fields and [[cosmic ray]]s and their effects on a spacecraft leaving the [[Solar System]].<ref name=David /> Mission launch plans analyzed direct, one planet, multi-planet, and upper-stage trades.<ref name=NASA2>{{cite web|url=http://interstellarexplorer.jhuapl.edu/mission/mission_design_req.html |title=Innovative Interstellar Probe: Mission Design Requirements|author=NASA}}</ref> As a concept study, a number of technologies, configurations, and mission goals were considered, leading to the choice of a spacecraft propelled with [[ion engine]]s powered by a [[radioisotope thermoelectric generator]] (RTG).<ref name="esa.int">[http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/doc/MAD/ACT-PRE-MAD-InnSys-McNutt.pdf ''Innovative Interstellar Explorer'' Feb 2006] slides</ref> The focus was getting a spacecraft launched by about 2014, achieving 200 AU by the year 2031.<ref>[http://authors.library.caltech.edu/6296/1/MCNaipcp06.pdf ''Innovative interstellar explorer''] 7 pages</ref>

A variety of strategies were assessed, including using launch windows (not counting backups) for a Jupiter assist in 2014, 2026, 2038, and 2050{{mdash}}about every 12 years.<ref name=NASA2/>
The launch opportunity for the 2014 window passed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=21050|title=Update on Innovative Interstellar Explorer |first=Paul |last=Gilster |date=December 20, 2011}}</ref> but for example it could have resulted in a Jupiter flyby by early 2016 and then go on to reach 200 [[astronomical units]] (AU) by 2044.<ref name=NASA2/><ref name=David>{{cite web |url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/050706_star_voyage.html |title=Voyage to the Stars: NASA Study Mulls Options |work=[[Space.com]] |author=David, Leonard |date=July 6, 2005}}</ref> With an ion drive, a speed of about 7.9 AU per year could be attained by the time its [[xenon]] propellant was depleted, enabling a travel distance of 200 AU by 2044 and perhaps 1000 AU after one hundred years from launch.<ref name=NASA2/> Different launch times and configurations have various timelines and options.<ref name=NASA2/> One configuration for launch saw the use of a [[Delta IV Heavy]] and for the upper stages a stack of [[Star 48]] and [[Star 37]] leading to various gravity assist options.<ref name="esa.int"/> Another launch stack that was considered was the [[Atlas V 551]] with a Star 48.<ref name="esa.int"/>

In 2011, the study's primary author gave an update to website [[Centauri Dreams]], giving a retrospective on the mission and its feasibility since its publication in 2003.<ref name="centauri-dreams.org">{{Cite news|url=http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=21050|title=Update on Innovative Interstellar Explorer|date=2011-12-20|newspaper=Centauri Dreams|access-date=2017-02-21|language=en-US}}</ref> By that time, some of the earliest launch windows were no longer feasible without a ready spacecraft.<ref name="centauri-dreams.org"/> Some retrospectives were the advantages and potential of [[solar sail]]s, but the need for them to be more advanced for a mission, and also the utility of a radioisotope propulsion (REP) for such a mission.<ref name="centauri-dreams.org"/> REP was the combination of using an RTG to power an ion drive.<ref name="centauri-dreams.org"/>

==See also==
*[[Applied Physics Laboratory]]
*[[Interstellar probe]]
*[[New Horizons 2]]
*[[New Horizons]] (Pluto flyby 2015, now heading out to KBOs)
*[[TAU (spacecraft)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://interstellarexplorer.jhuapl.edu/index.php Interstellar Explorer – NASA]
*[http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/doc/MAD/ACT-PRE-MAD-InnSys-McNutt.pdf Presentation on IIE]

{{Jupiter spacecraft}}

[[Category:Hypothetical spacecraft]]
[[Category:Interstellar travel]]
[[Category:Proposed space probes]]

Innovative Interstellar Explorer - Revision history

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