Voyager 3: A Concept Mission to Interstellar Medium

The Voyager 3 is a concept mission that sends a space telescope to the interstellar medium in a reasonable amount of time. Voyager 3 will take a direct image of an exoplanet using the solar gravitational lensing at the distance of 550 AU. The spacecraft will use its suite of scientific instruments to study the local solar system’s environment, interstellar medium and finalize its primary mission by imaging an exoplanet. Two architectures are proposed to meet this mission directive, using multiple gravitational assists and sizable electric propulsion burns to achievethe high escape speeds necessary to reach 550 AU. This paper expands on the science mission objectives, trajectory, and the preliminary design of the spacecraft.