JOVE rendering. Image credits: B. Freeze, J. Greason, R. Nader et al.
The Jupiter Observing Velocity Experiment (JOVE) is a planned 16U CubeSat in development by an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in the United States and Latin America (Ecuador and Costa Rica), some of who are members of the Practical Interplanetary Propulsion group at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Nuclear Future Flight Propulsion Committee.
It’s mission is to use a novel solar wind magnetic repulsion propulsion system to reach the Jovian system in 30 days. The calling of this spacecraft goes beyond a technological demonstration. It must prove that Latin America is ready to tackle problems that can have deep and lasting effects on humankind’s fate. As one of the team’s leads, Ronnie Nader, said: “In practical terms, the current challenge of the space business is that it takes a decade for any roundtrip. We need to make it affordable so that it’s possible to finance it. So, as a growing species that will soon be fully occupying its ecological niche, why don’t we consider the treasures in the Solar System within our reach?” Read more about it on HackerNoon