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<p>The Dawn spacecraft was the first to orbit two separate distant celestial destinations, an achievement made possible by its Ion Propulsion System. Its solar-electric propulsion system enabled the mission to achieve the high delta velocity requirements necessary for visiting and orbiting multiple targets, all while staying within the cost constraints of NASA’s Discovery Program. The interplanetary cruise phase of the mission relied on continuous IPS thrusting for weeks or months at a time. Orbit transfers were conducted using a series of maneuvers, a departure from traditional methods used with chemical propulsion systems. This unique approach required innovative mission design and navigation processes. This paper outlines the mission design challenges, navigation strategies, and key lessons learned from the Dawn mission.</p>

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Dawn’s Exploration of Vesta and Ceres: Mission Design and Navigation Challenges and Lessons

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月8日

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  • Dongsuk Han,
  • Nicholas Bradley,
  • Nickolaos Mastrodemos,
  • Gregory Whiffen,
  • Brian Kennedy

摘要

The Dawn spacecraft was the first to orbit two separate distant celestial destinations, an achievement made possible by its Ion Propulsion System. Its solar-electric propulsion system enabled the mission to achieve the high delta velocity requirements necessary for visiting and orbiting multiple targets, all while staying within the cost constraints of NASA’s Discovery Program. The interplanetary cruise phase of the mission relied on continuous IPS thrusting for weeks or months at a time. Orbit transfers were conducted using a series of maneuvers, a departure from traditional methods used with chemical propulsion systems. This unique approach required innovative mission design and navigation processes. This paper outlines the mission design challenges, navigation strategies, and key lessons learned from the Dawn mission.