Uranus orbiter and probe
Encyclopedia
A Uranus orbiter and probe mission to explore the planet Uranus
, its atmosphere, rings, and moons, was recommended to NASA
in 2011 by its Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2013–2022. A mission study was conducted which also considered Neptune
; however, for feasibility reasons Neptune was dropped in favor of Uranus. Two white papers on Uranus exploration were also submitted to the decadal survey. The survey listed the Uranus orbiter and probe as the third priority for a flagship mission after the Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
and the JEO component of the Europa Jupiter System Mission
.
Although a chemical propulsion mission to Uranus is possible, solar-powered
electric propulsion is preferred as it will allow a larger spacecraft mass.
The current mission study was for a launch in the years 2020–2023. Travel time to Uranus with solar-electric propulsion would be 13 years, with one Earth-flyby gravity-assist, with launch-windows from Earth of 21 days every year.
Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. It has the third-largest planetary radius and fourth-largest planetary mass in the Solar System. It is named after the ancient Greek deity of the sky Uranus , the father of Cronus and grandfather of Zeus...
, its atmosphere, rings, and moons, was recommended to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in 2011 by its Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2013–2022. A mission study was conducted which also considered Neptune
Neptune
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in the Solar System. Named for the Roman god of the sea, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is slightly more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 times...
; however, for feasibility reasons Neptune was dropped in favor of Uranus. Two white papers on Uranus exploration were also submitted to the decadal survey. The survey listed the Uranus orbiter and probe as the third priority for a flagship mission after the Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
The Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher was a NASA concept for a Mars rover mission, proposed to be launched in 2018 together with the European ExoMars rover...
and the JEO component of the Europa Jupiter System Mission
Europa Jupiter System Mission
The Europa Jupiter System Mission – Laplace was a proposed joint NASA/ESA unmanned space mission slated to launch around 2020 for the in-depth exploration of Jupiter's moons with a focus on Europa, Ganymede and Jupiter's magnetosphere...
.
Although a chemical propulsion mission to Uranus is possible, solar-powered
Solar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
electric propulsion is preferred as it will allow a larger spacecraft mass.
The current mission study was for a launch in the years 2020–2023. Travel time to Uranus with solar-electric propulsion would be 13 years, with one Earth-flyby gravity-assist, with launch-windows from Earth of 21 days every year.