A $4.2 billion mission to the seventh planet could change the way we see the solar system, scientists say.
However, there's a good scientific reason to get to Uranus by 2045. A year on Uranus lasts 84 Earth years and Voyager 2 flew past during the southern hemisphere's summer, so if scientists want the most contrast with that mission's views then the new spacecraft needs to arrive before southern spring begins in 2049.
That timing would also give the probe all-new views of the southern hemispheres of Uranus' moons, intriguing worlds in their own rights. , but scientists think that its five largest moons — Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon — may be ocean worlds that could possibly harbor life."Investigation of these moons would enhance our knowledge of where potentially habitable bodies exist in our solar system," Beddingfield said.
"However, the northern hemispheres of the Uranian moons were shrouded by winter darkness at the time of the flyby and were largely unimaged, leaving many unanswered questions about the origin and evolution of these icy bodies," he said. For now, Cartwright has arranged to use the recently-launched The committee recommended that work on a true mission design should begin by 2024, budgets allowing, but any Uranus mission is going to need an iconic name.
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