NASA Has Announced Plans for the Next Decade of Space Missions, And It’s Awesome

NASA is gearing up for a decade of space exploration that promises to extend well beyond the confines of Mars. Although Mars has been the central focus of recent space missions, the broader solar system offers an array of tantalizing celestial bodies that are ripe for exploration. The guiding framework for this exciting era of planetary science is provided by a decadal survey, a comprehensive document that outlines the key priorities for the next ten years. This survey plays a vital role in informing funding agencies, particularly NASA, about the planetary science community's most compelling objectives and aspirations.

While Mars has captured the limelight with multiple orbiters, landers, and rovers, the survey highlights the need to broaden our exploration efforts to encompass the entirety of our solar system. Among the mission concepts that have generated considerable excitement, the Uranus Orbiter and Probe stands out. Despite the peculiar choice of name, this mission represents a tremendous opportunity. The ice giants of our solar system, Uranus and Neptune, are dramatically distinct from their gaseous counterparts, Jupiter and Saturn. Remarkably, it has been a generation since the Voyager probes last visited Uranus. Therefore, the prospect of embarking on a mission to explore this enigmatic world is a tantalizing proposition for planetary scientists and space enthusiasts alike.

For those who are drawn to smaller, yet no less intriguing missions, an "orbilander" mission to Enceladus, one of Saturn's many diminutive moons, is an outstanding choice. Typically, small moons do not receive the same degree of attention as their larger counterparts. However, Enceladus holds a remarkable secret beneath its icy exterior: a vast liquid water ocean that spans the entire moon. The mission's concept involves a spacecraft that would initially orbit Enceladus, conducting close flybys through the plumes of icy volcanoes erupting from the surface. Following this phase, the spacecraft would descend for an immersive two-year surface visit, providing scientists with invaluable insights into this moon's unique characteristics.

Beyond these ambitious and captivating missions, the decadal survey also outlines more cost-effective options that promise significant scientific value. For instance, the Mars Life Explorer mission is poised to send a lander to Mars with a primary focus on the water-rich polar ice caps. Another mission involves a lunar rover designed to collect and return samples from the Moon to Earth, furthering our understanding of our celestial neighbor. Moreover, several proposals suggest sending a probe into Saturn's atmosphere or orbiting its moon, Titan, to comprehensively study its hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere and the lakes of liquid methane that adorn its surface.

The decadal survey effectively serves as a wish list for planetary scientists. However, the realization of these missions hinges on NASA's budget allocation over the next decade, a fiscal plan that Congress ultimately determines. This means that the future of these ambitious exploratory endeavors will be shaped by the collective will of the nation's decision-makers and space enthusiasts. As we look ahead to the next ten years, the prospect of venturing beyond Mars and exploring the diverse landscapes of our solar system is both exciting and inspiring.