The innovative Saturn Ring Skimmer mission concept enables a wide range of
investigations that address fundamental questions about Saturn and its rings,
as well as giant planets and astrophysical disk systems in general. This
mission would provide new insights into the dynamical processes that operate in
astrophysical disk systems by observing individual particles in Saturn's rings
for the first time. The Ring Skimmer would also constrain the origin, history,
and fate of Saturn's rings by determining their compositional evolution and
material transport rates. In addition, the Ring Skimmer would reveal how the
rings, magnetosphere, and planet operate as an inter-connected system by making
direct measurements of the ring's atmosphere, Saturn's inner magnetosphere and
the material owing from the rings into the planet. At the same time, this
mission would clarify the dynamical processes operating in the planet's visible
atmosphere and deep interior by making extensive high-resolution observations
of cloud features and repeated measurements of the planet's extremely dynamic
gravitational field. Given the scientific potential of this basic mission
concept, we advocate that it be studied in depth as a potential option for the
New Frontiers program.Comment: White paper submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology
Decadal Survey (submission #420
