Uranus Orbiter and Probe
A Flagship-class mission concept to study Uranus and its moons, selected as the highest priority by the 2023–2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey.
Last updated
The 2023–2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey selected it as the highest-priority large mission, ahead of the Enceladus Orbilander.[1] A Neptune orbiter concept, Neptune Odyssey, was considered but Uranus was favored for logistical and cost reasons.[1]
How it changed
The mission would address questions about Uranus's interior, atmosphere, and composition, and would also study its rings and moons.[2] The atmospheric probe would measure cloud-forming molecules, thermal stratification, and wind speed as a function of depth.[3] A 2010 design envisioned a 127 kg probe, and a later study suggested adding a second probe as small as 30 kg.[3] Only Voyager 2 has performed a flyby of the Uranus system, which occurred on January 24, 1986.[4]
What the maker and period sources say
A 2022 SpaceNews article by Foust reported that the decadal survey called Uranus "one of the most intriguing bodies in the solar system" and said the mission "will transform our knowledge of ice giants"[2] The same article noted that the mission could launch as soon as 2031 on a Falcon Heavy, arriving 13 years later using a Jupiter gravity assist.[2] A 2017 Verge article by Loren Grush stated that researchers released a report detailing four mission types, including orbiters that could carry probes to dive into the planets' atmospheres.[5] A 2017 Planetary Society article by Jason Davis noted that Uranus was favored over Neptune due to more convenient planetary alignments affecting travel times.[6]
References
- Wikipedia, "Uranus Orbiter and Probe" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032", National Academies Press, 2022, p. 800; Foust, "Planetary science decadal endorses Mars sample return, outer planets missions", SpaceNews, 19 April 2022 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Foust, "Planetary science decadal endorses Mars sample return, outer planets missions", SpaceNews, 19 April 2022. facts only, no text reused. spacenews.com
- Wikipedia, "Uranus Orbiter and Probe" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hubbard, William B., "SDO-12345: Ice Giants Decadal Study", National Academies Press, 3 June 2010; K. M. Sayanagi, R. A. Dillman, A. A. Simon, et al. " Small Next-generation Atmospheric Probe (SNAP) Concept", LPI 2083 (2018): 2262. Long version of paper: Spac (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Uranus Orbiter and Probe" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Visions and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013–2022", 7 March 2011; Chris Gebhardt, "New SLS mission options explored via new Large Upper Stage", NASASpaceFlight, 20 November 2013; Hubbard, William B., "SDO-12345: Ice Giants Decadal Study", National Academies Press, 3 June 2010; "Ice Giants Pre-Decadal Survey Mission Study Report (June 2017)"; "Visions and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013–2022", 7 March 2011; Hubbard, William B., "SDO-12345: Ice Giants Decadal Study", National Academies Press, 3 J en.wikipedia.org
- It’s time to explore Uranus and Neptune again — and here's how NASA could do it. Loren Grush, The Verge. 16 June 2017.. facts only, no text reused. theverge.com
- Revisiting the ice giants: NASA study considers Uranus and Neptune missions. Jason Davis. The Planetary Society. 21 June 2017.. facts only, no text reused. planetary.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Uranus Orbiter and Probe (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Uranus Orbiter and Probe (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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