Although the recommendations aren’t binding, NASA takes these reports seriously.
Simon is “pretty optimistic” that a mission to Uranus, at least, will begin in the next decade.
The new survey had two top priorities: A flagship mission to explore Uranus and another to visit Saturn’s moon Enceladus.
Mission ideas might already be on the table, but the reports tell NASA in what order to pursue them.
Uranus and Neptune, the “ice giants” of the solar system, are among the least studied planets in our solar system.
Uranus and Neptune are similar in their size, though Uranus has a colder subsurface than the other three gas giants, spins sideways, and has a system of moons that formed along with it.
But with decent funding, there’s a good chance that one or both missions come to fruition. »