Overview
DIPLONA is a concept for a small spacecraft mission to Ceres, designed to complement Dawn-era surface discoveries by adding a subsurface perspective. The central idea is to use radar sounding to connect surface morphology with near-subsurface structure in key regions linked to cryovolcanism and brine-related deposits.
Problem
Dawn revealed evidence for cryovolcanism, carbonates, organics, and possible brines on Ceres, but the internal context of many features remains uncertain. The key challenge is to constrain how observed deposits and morphologies relate to subsurface layering, fracture systems, and the evolution of cryovolcanic or impact-driven processes.
Approach
The mission concept narrows the science scope to what a small platform can realistically support, then ties objectives to an instrument and an operations plan. Radar sounding was selected as the most valuable “new dimension” relative to Dawn, because it directly informs structure, interfaces, and subsurface continuity.
Deliverables
- Science motivation and focused questions tailored to a CubeSat-scale mission
- Target shortlist and rationale for primary observation regions
- Concept payload definition and feasibility framing for radar sounding
- Trade-off logic linking scientific objectives to engineering constraints
Targets & rationale
The concept emphasizes regions where radar profiling could clarify formation mechanisms: carbonates and brine-related deposits (e.g., Occator), young crater contexts (e.g., Haulani and Urvara), and cryovolcanic dome structure (Ahuna Mons).
Expected outputs
- Subsurface profiles over primary targets to constrain layering and interfaces
- Structure-focused interpretation framework to connect radar signatures with geomorphology
- Comparative context across target types: cryovolcanic, impact, tectonic, slope processes