Neptune Odyssey
Neptune Odyssey is an orbiter mission concept to study Neptune and its moons, particularly Triton. The orbiter would enter into a retrograde orbit of Neptune to facilitate simultaneous study of Triton and would launch an atmospheric probe to characterize Neptune's atmosphere. The concept is being developed as a potential large strategic science mission for NASA by a team led by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. The current proposal targets a launch in 2033 using the Space Launch System with arrival at Neptune in 2049, although trajectories using gravity assists at Jupiter have also been considered with launch dates in 2031.
Artist's concept of a Neptune orbiter with potential atmospheric probes and a Triton lander, c. early 2000s | |
| Mission type | Neptune orbiter |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | Cruise: 16 years Science phase: 4 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 3,218 kg (7,094 lb) |
| Dry mass | 1,594 kg (3,514 lb) |
| Payload mass | 214 kg (472 lb) plus 220 kg (490 lb) atmospheric probe |
| Dimensions | Height: 6.96 m (22.8 ft) Diameter: 4.56 m (15.0 ft) |
| Power | 1,087 W (1.458 hp) from 3 Next-Generation Radioisotope thermoelectric generators |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2033 (proposed) |
| Rocket | Space Launch System (proposed) Falcon Heavy (alternative) |
| Neptune orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | 2049 (proposed) |
| Neptune atmospheric probe | |
| Atmospheric entry | 2049 (proposed) |
The mission concept was considered for possible recommendation as a mission priority in the 2023–2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, however for logistical reasons the Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission was selected as the ice giant orbiter mission recommendation, with top priority ahead of the Enceladus Orbilander.