Uranus Orbiter and Probe
The Uranus Orbiter and Probe is an orbiter mission concept to study Uranus and its moons. The orbiter would also deploy an atmospheric probe to characterize Uranus's atmosphere. The concept is being developed as a potential large strategic science mission for NASA. The science phase would last 4.5 years and include multiple flybys of each of the major moons.
Mosaic of images of Uranus and its 5 major moons from Voyager 2 | |
| Mission type | Uranus orbiter |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | Cruise: 13.4 years Science phase: 4.5 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 7,235 kg (15,950 lb) |
| Dry mass | 2,756 kg (6,076 lb) |
| Payload mass | 60.5 kg (133 lb) plus 19.7 kg (43 lb) atmospheric probe |
| Dimensions | Height: 7.1 m (23 ft) Diameter: less than 5 m (16 ft) |
| Power | 735 W (0.986 hp) from 3 Mod1 Next-Generation Radioisotope thermoelectric generators |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | not earlier than 2031 |
| Rocket | Falcon Heavy Expendable (proposed) |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (proposed) |
| Flyby of Earth (gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | not earlier than 2033 |
| Distance | 450 km (280 mi) |
| Flyby of Jupiter (gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | not earlier than 2035 |
| Distance | 370,000 km (230,000 mi) |
| Uranus orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | not earlier than 2044 |
| Uranus atmospheric probe | |
| Atmospheric entry | not earlier than 2045 |
The mission concept was selected as the highest priority Flagship-class mission by the 2023–2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey, ahead of the Enceladus Orbilander. A Neptune orbiter mission concept, Neptune Odyssey, that would address many of the same scientific goals regarding ice giants was also considered, but for logistical and cost reasons a mission to Uranus was favored.
The original proposal targeted a launch in 2031 using a Falcon Heavy expendable launch vehicle with a gravity assist at Jupiter, allowing arrival at Uranus in 2044. In 2023, however, NASA announced that due to a shortfall in plutonium production a mid to late 2030s launch would be more likely.