How close does a spacecraft get to Tethys during a mission?

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SUMMARY

Spacecraft approaching Tethys, a moon of Saturn, have varied distances during missions, with notable probes including Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini. Cassini's closest approach was approximately 78,000 km during its insertion, while typical distances ranged from 200,000 km to 2,000,000 km. The closest recorded approach was debated, with one participant questioning the validity of a 1,500 km figure from 2005, suggesting a more plausible distance of 15,000 km. The complexity of spacecraft orbits is highlighted, emphasizing that they are not simple circles but involve intricate maneuvers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spacecraft orbital mechanics
  • Familiarity with the Cassini mission and its objectives
  • Knowledge of planetary bodies in the Saturn system
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy and fuel management in space travel
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Cassini mission's trajectory and closest approaches to Tethys
  • Study the orbital mechanics involved in spacecraft maneuvers around celestial bodies
  • Explore the data from Pioneer 11 and Voyager missions regarding their encounters with Tethys
  • Learn about the engineering challenges of spacecraft fuel management and kinetic energy utilization
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, astrophysicists, and space mission planners will benefit from this discussion, particularly those involved in mission design and analysis of spacecraft trajectories around celestial bodies like Tethys.

Numeriprimi
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How high is usually the probe above the surface of the cosmic body? It would be best if it was specifically the Tethys, but suffice average.

Thanks and sorry for my bad English.
 
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You mean how far spacecraft get to the objects they are sent to look at?
You know some of them land right? There is no "standard orbit" for spacecraft . If it has to travel further, then the closest approach is determined by it's kinetic energy, engines, and fuel (and the object in question).

Tethys has been approached by several space probes including Pioneer 11 (1979), Voyager 1 (1980), Voyager 2 (1981), and Cassini since 2004.

dmuller has timelines for spacecraft missions - here's the Tethys one:
http://www.dmuller.net/spaceflight/target.php?target=tethys
I don't think I believe the 1500km value for 2005-09-23 (Cassini) .. I'd believe 15000kms.

That's really close - 15 Tethys diameters - a bit more than the diameter of the Earth.

From Saturn, Cassini managed a long ellipse, if I'm reading that right, with the closest approach at 78000km (at insertion) and swinging out as far as 9100000km.
There was a lot of manovering, according to the timeline - typically the closest was around 200000km and the farthest 2000000km.
http://www.dmuller.net/spaceflight/mission.php?mission=cassini

Real orbits are some way from the simple circles you learn in high school aye?
 
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