NASA describes Phoebe, one of Saturn's outer moons as “one of [its] most intriguing.” Evidence from Cassini’s flyby shows that Phoebe may be a “Centaur”, or small captured body from the outer Solar System. Centaurs are of interest to scientists because, according to Space.com, in frigid temperatures, they haven’t been altered by the Sun’s heat and are like time capsules, telling us about the origin of the Solar System, preserved in their surfaces. My orbiter, Origin, and my lander, Pickering, named in honor of William Pickering, discoverer of Phoebe, will work together to send answers about Phoebe’s secrets and the origin of the Solar System.
My mission will launch with Origin and Pickering attached to each other. Upon reaching Phoebe, Pickering will eject from Origin and land. Pickering will take surface samples and analyze them in its onboard laboratory. Origin will orbit above, using spectrometer mapping technology to map the surface of Phoebe.
RPS (Radioisotope Power Systems) is useful on this mission because Phoebe is distant and reflects only 6% of the sunlight it receives. RPS provides a reliable power source for a long time without needing solar power. Phoebe is also very cold, with temperatures of -253 ̊F. An RHU (Radioisotope Heating Unit), will keep the spacecraft instruments warm enough to operate.
Teamwork is how big projects are accomplished, and I cooperate and work well with others. Origin-Pickering is a complex mission, involving many people. If these people do not cooperate, then the mission will be unsuccessful. Cooperation is the power that will overcome the challenges of getting this mission off the ground and answering our questions about the origin of the Solar System.