Mission analysis for an in-space solar neutrino detection experiment

Abstract

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).NuSol is a proposed mission to fly a neutrino detector in proximity of the Sun, in order to conduct unique science experiments that cannot be realized by detectors stationed on the Earth. The paper presents analysis of the NuSol mission in order to understand the anticipated scientific output of the mission, in terms of the expected neutrino count, as well as opportunities for observing coherent-to-decoherent state transition of neutrinos. To facilitate this analysis, we developed a computational framework incorporating patched-conics methodology, gravity assist maneuver modeling using pump and crank angles, and Tisserand plots. Considering scenarios of powered and unpowered gravity assists, numerical simulations are presented to identify trades associated with the realization of the scientific objectives of the mission.The authors acknowledge funding support for the research by grant number 80NSSC21K1900 from NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program