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No limits 2 mission triton 212/28/2022 ![]() ![]() In this case, the mission would come to resemble the proposed Argo mission that I've written about before. The report notes that the flyby missions might be able to be cost optimized to fit within the New Frontiers program (~$1B). The missions break into two cost classes: Small flagship (~$1.5B ) flyby missions and very simple Neptune orbiters and larger flagship (>$2B) orbiters. The depth of analysis for any particular concept necessary was limited. The charge given to the Neptune study group was to evaluate a number of mission concepts ranging from simple flybys to Cassini-class orbiters. Specific spacecraft configurations were chosen and examined in some depth. The two network missions last week were good examples. Many of the Decadal Survey concept studies looked at specific mission designs. Depending on the mission options chosen, the craft also could continue to flyby a Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) and continue the reconnaissance that New Horizons will begin at Pluto. As a bonus, the spacecraft would also investigate another likely ice-ocean moon, Triton. A new mission to Neptune would offer the chance to investigate a key class of worlds with modern instruments and much higher telemetry rates. That craft - state of the art for the 1970s - carried instruments that by today's standard would be antiquated. The methane-rich gas giants have been visited just one time each by the Voyager 2 spacecraft. Humans have flown many missions to the terrestrial planets and a number to the hydrogen-helium giants, Jupiter and Saturn. My criteria for inclusion on my list is that a mission must offer the chance to significantly advance our understanding of the solar system. This week, I'll look at Neptune missions. Last week, I wrote about the Mars and lunar geophysical network missions. I've already selected the first four candidates and am now looking at options for my fifth selection. This week, I'll continue to look at possible missions for my personal selection of the five most compelling missions from the list of Decadal Survey mission concepts.
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