ARCANUM
Arcanum is a multi-role spacecraft for the outer Solar System consisting of a large Neptunian orbiter and a soft-landing Triton probe. The spacecraft is designed to be at the forefront of next-generation space science missions, showcasing what will be possible with new super heavy-lift launch vehicles such as SpaceX Starship.
SOMERVILLE ORBITER
The orbital component Somerville will perform multiple flybys on a
15-year trajectory to Neptune before finally capture burning into a
highly-eccentric orbit; providing deep-space observation windows at
apogee and planetary science measurements at perigee.
Remote sensing and in-situ measurements ranging from gamma-ray spectrometry
to dust detection will allow a comprehensive understanding of the Neptunian
environment, and an optical wavelength telescope will allow deep-space
observations to be made outside the zodiacal light interference of the
inner Solar System.
BINGHAM LANDER
The Bingham soft-landing probe will detach from Somerville during a
Triton flyby, alongside two surface impact penetrators.
Sequenced landings will allow the conduction of a seismic experiment
on the interior structure of the moon, and additional instrumentation
will allow near-surface atmosphere, surface, and subsurface measurements
to be taken.
Arcanum Papers
An L-class Multirole Observatory and Science Platform for Neptune
Scientific Objectives and Instruments for Neptune, Triton and KBOs
Concept of Operations for a Neptune System Mission
