A5070298520- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- GNSS positioning and interference
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
- Space exploration and regulation
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Rocket and propulsion systems research
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Radio Wave Propagation Studies
- Marine and environmental studies
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Marine animal studies overview
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
Sapienza University of Rome
2019-2025
Space (Italy)
2021-2025
European Space Agency
2021
Eni (Italy)
2019
Abstract The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) of ESA was launched on 14 April 2023 and will arrive at Jupiter its in July 2031. In this review article, we describe how JUICE investigate the interior three icy Galilean moons, Ganymede, Callisto Europa, during orbital tour final phase around Ganymede. Detailed geophysical observations about can only be performed from close distances to best estimates signatures interior, such as an induced magnetic field, tides rotation variations, radar...
Abstract The Mercury Orbiter Radio Science Experiment (MORE) of the ESA mission BepiColombo will provide an accurate estimation Mercury’s gravity field and rotational state, improved tests general relativity, a novel deep space navigation system. key experimental setup entails highly stable, multi-frequency radio link in X Ka band, enabling two-way range rate measurements 3 micron/s at nearly all solar elongation angles. In addition, high chip rate, pseudo-noise ranging system has already...
BepiColombo's Mercury orbiter radio science experiment (MORE) was conceived to enable extremely accurate tracking measurements of the Planetary Orbiter precisely determine gravity field and rotational state Mercury, test theories gravitation (e.g., Einstein's theory general relativity). The design accuracy data 0.004 mm/s (at 1000 s integration time) for range-rate 20 cm range a few seconds time). These accuracies are attained due combination simultaneous two-way microwave links at X...
Abstract In preparation for the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury, thematic working groups had been established coordinating activities within Science Working Team in specific fields. Here we describe scientific goals of Geodesy and Geophysics Group (GGWG) that aims at addressing fundamental questions regarding Mercury’s internal structure evolution. This multidisciplinary investigation will also test gravity laws by using planet Mercury as a proof mass. The instruments on Planetary...
Abstract The JUpiter Icy Moons Explorer is an ESA mission set for launch in 2023 April and arrival the Jovian system 2031 July to investigate Jupiter its icy satellites with a suite of 10 instruments. will execute several flybys moons Europa, Callisto, Ganymede before ending 9-month orbit around Ganymede. 3GM experiment on board spacecraft exploit accurate range Doppler (range-rate) measurements determine moons’ orbit, gravity field, tidal deformation. focus this paper retrieval Europa’s...
Abstract The Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016 July to deepen our comprehension of the solar system by studying gas giant. radio science experiment enables determination Jupiter’s gravitational field, thus shedding light on its interior structure. relies determining orbit during pericenter passages. Previous gravity data analyses assumed correctness general theory relativity, which was used for trajectory integration and signal propagation modeling. In this work, we aim...
The Mercury Orbiter Radio Science Experiment onboard the European Space Agency/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) BepiColombo mission aims at determining gravity field and rotational state of planet to provide insight into its internal structure performing tests general relativity. experiment will rely on accurate radiometric data provided by Ka-band transponder measurements nonconservative perturbations acting spacecraft, Italian Spring Accelerometer. This paper presents a software...
The JUpiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched on 14 April 2023, aims to explore Jupiter and its Galilean moons, with arrival in the Jovian system planned for mid-2031. One of scientific investigations is Geodesy Geophysics Moons (3GM) radio science experiment, designed study interior structures Europa, Callisto, Ganymede atmospheres moons. 3GM experiment employs a Ka-band Transponder (KaT) enable two-way coherent range Doppler measurements used gravity an Ultra Stable Oscillator...
The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE), the European Space Agency’s first large-class mission under Cosmic Vision 2015–2025 program, is dedicated to exploring potential habitability of Jupiter’s icy moons: Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede. Launched on April 14, 2023, JUICE currently in an 8-year cruise phase Jupiter, utilizing gravity assists from Venus, Earth, Moon. Notably, spacecraft execute a Lunar-Earth assist (LEGA), which was successfully completed August...
The BepiColombo mission, a cornerstone of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Cosmic Vision program in collaboration with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), represents an ambitious endeavor to deepen our understanding Mercury. It uniquely combines Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Magnetospheric (Mio) investigate Mercury’s interaction solar wind, its geological history, magnetic environment. mission seeks address fundamental questions about evolution terrestrial planets,...
Following its launch on April 14, 2023, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, the European Space Agency’s JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is way to rendezvous with Jupiter system in 2031. JUICE will investigate conditions that may have led habitable environments Jupiter's icy moons—Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede. Equipped a comprehensive suite of 10 state-of-the-art scientific instruments one experiment, spacecraft study system, including planet's atmosphere magnetosphere...
The ESA/JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) BepiColombo mission is currently in its cruise phase and set to reach Mercury late 2025. spacecraft equipped with advanced radio-tracking instrumentation that provides accurate radiometric data for precise orbit determination (POD). During the phase, radio link enables tests of general relativity (GR) measurements solar corona properties. To fully exploit accuracy (Doppler ranging) obtain better accuracies GR tests, a comprehensive dynamical...
The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission is currently on its way to Mercury, aiming unveil the secrets held by innermost planet of Solar System. radio tracking measurements, in combination with data acquired onboard accelerometer, will enable a precise navigation spacecraft addressing scientific objectives mission. A series planetary flybys are required during interplanetary transfer orbit save propellant for orbital insertion around Mercury. We present here joint analysis and accelerometer...
Abstract Media propagation delay and delay‐rate induced by the water vapor within Earth's troposphere represent one of main error sources for radiometric measurements in deep space. In preparation BepiColombo JUICE missions, European Space Agency has installed operates prototype a tropospheric calibration system (TDCS) at DSA‐3 ground station located Malargüe, Argentina. An initial characterization TDCS performance was realized using two‐way Doppler X‐band to perform orbit determination Gaia...
BepiColombo ESA/JAXA mission is currently in its 7 year cruise phase towards Mercury. The Mercury orbiter radioscience experiment (MORE), one of the 16 experiments mission, will start scientific investigation during superior solar conjunction (SSC) March 2021 with a test general relativity (GR). Other conjunctions follow phase, providing several opportunities to improve results first experiment. MORE radio tracking system allows establish precise ranging and Doppler measurements almost at...
The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission, launched on 20 October 2018, is currently in cruise toward Mercury. Mercury Orbiter Radio-science Experiment (MORE), one of the 16 experiments will exploit range and range-rate measurements collected during superior solar conjunctions to better constrain post-Newtonian parameter ${\gamma}$. MORE radio tracking system capable establishing a 5-leg link X- Ka-band obtain 2-way with an accuracy $0.01 mm/s^-1$ @ 60 s sampling time at centimeter level after few...
This paper presents a concept for the orbit determination and time synchronization (ODTS) of lunar radio navigation system. The proposed approach utilizes small ground antennas that simultaneously track all satellites in constellation using K-band frequency links. work describes architecture performance system, highlighting implementation multiple spacecraft per aperture (MSPA) concept. configuration ensures sufficient data rates achieves high accuracy Doppler range observables, enabling...
Context. The Love number h 2 describes the radial tidal displacements of Mercury’s surface and allows constraints to be set on inner core size when combined with potential k . Knowledge is fundamental gaining insights into planet’s thermal evolution dynamo working principle. BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA) currently cruising Mercury as part mission once it in orbit around Mercury, will acquire precise measurements topography, potentially including variability that due deformation. Aims....
The exploration of Uranus, a key archetype for ice giant planets and gateway to understanding distant exoplanets, is acquiring increasing interest in recent years, especially after the Uranus Orbiter Probe (UOP) mission has been prioritized Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2023–2032. This paper presents results numerical simulations aimed at providing experimental constraints on parameterized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameter γ, measure space–time curvature general relativity (GR), during...
ABSTRACT A radio link directly probing the inner solar corona offers possibility to characterize wind properties, including velocity, density, turbulence, and even axial ratio. In this study, we leveraged radiometric data obtained during a joint superior conjunction of ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission JAXA Akatsuki mission. Our objective is ascertain velocity by analysing Doppler-shift timeseries signals exchanged between two spacecraft distinct ground stations. We conducted cross-correlation...
The Mercury Orbiter Radioscience Experiment (MORE) on-board the BepiColombo mission was designed to provide an accurate estimation of gravity field and rotational state Mercury. Planetary (MPO) is equipped with instrumentation that allows highly stable, multi-frequency radio links in X Ka band order achieve range rate coherent two-way measurements 0.003 mm/s (at 1000 s integration time) 20 cm, respectively. Precise trajectory reconstruction us estimate accurately spherical harmonic...