One of the main documents guiding planetary research in the United States was published on Tuesday (19). The new edition, “Origins, Worlds and Life: A Ten-Year Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032,” has made it a priority to send a space probe entirely dedicated to space exploration for the next decade. planet uranusalso an “orbital lander” for Saturn’s ocean moon Enceladus.
But why Uranus? The explanation is simple: First, because the planet has never received a research space missionA revealing flight of Voyager 2 in 1986. Another reason is that the icy celestial body was “in line” in its 2011 ten-year report, which listed Mars and Jupiter’s moon Europa as priorities.
But there is another, more logical, reason to prioritize Uranus: the so-called “celestial opportunism.” According to planetary scientist Robin Canup of the Southwest Research Institute, if the orbiter were launched on a Falcon Heavy rocket in 2031 or 2032, He could go on some kind of gravitational journey from Jupiter. and reach the target in 13 years. “This mission is technically ready to launch,” the scientist told the journal. science.
What will the space missions of the next decade be like?
The Uranus Orbiter and Atmospheric Probe (UOP), subject to the release of a US$4.2 billion (R$19.4 billion) budget, is currently suitable for launch with existing launch rockets. The mission could perform a multi-year orbital tour of the so-called ice giants. focus on Uranushere would deliver an atmospheric probe.
The Enceladus mission will include an “orbilander”, a hybrid spacecraft consisting of an orbital probe and a lander. According to the scientific report, this equipment will search for evidence of life on Saturn’s moon, initially from orbit and during the two-year mission, directly through studies conducted by the lander. the icy surface of the satellite.
The ten-year project also recommends that NASA continue to run current programs dedicated to exploring the Moon and Mars.
Source: Tec Mundo
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