Interstellar probe: Cross-divisional science enabled by the first deliberate step in to the galaxy

Inevitably, humanity seeks to expand across the sea of space to other Suns. Interstellar Probe represents humanity's first deliberate step in to the galaxy on that journey. Traveling beyond the Sun's sphere of influence opens remarkable possibilities for astrophysics, heliophysics and planetary sciences: 1. Understand our heliosphere as a habitable astrosphere by acquiring external global images and measurements of its astrophysical interactions with the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM) 2. Understand the evolutionary history of the solar system by determining the large-scale distribution of the circum-solar debris disk and characterizing Kuiper Belt Objects on an outward trajectory; and 3. Open the observational window to early galaxy and stellar formation by observing from a vantage point beyond the obscuring Zodiacal cloud. An Interstellar Probe Mission to the Local Interstellar Medium has been discussed and studied since 1960s by a number of international teams. The more recent studies have begun to recognize its critical importance for all three disciplines. This has been fueled by the crossing of the heliopause of both of Voyager 1 and 2, and the New Horizons flybys of Pluto and MU69. With the exploding abundance of exoplanetary systems, a growing need is emerging for putting our heliosphere, solar system and debris disk in to context of astrophysical observations. Astrospheres similar to the heliosphere are difficult to recognize due to the weak characteristic UV intensity of the corresponding gas accumulation ahead of their interaction regions, preventing a detailed understanding of their habitable environment. Despite its decisive importance for understanding exoplanetary system evolution by observing other circum-stellar debris disks, the morphology of our circum-solar debris disk remains unconstrained. A NASA-funded study is now under way that has provided the most detailed launch configurations and trajectories ever considered. The concept assumes a New Horizons-scale spacecraft, and an SLS Block 1B with various kick-stage configurations, using a powered Jupiter Gravity Assist resulting in an asymptotic speed about three times faster than the Voyager missions. This presentation discusses the compelling science objectives enabled by an Interstellar Probe, their derived example requirements and notional payload.