The Arcanum mission is a proposed NASA-funded project aimed at exploring the Neptune system, including the planet itself and its moon, Triton. The mission is designed to provide crucial insights into these distant bodies, which have remained largely unexplored since Voyager 2 visited Neptune in the 1980s.
To achieve this, Arcanum will be split into three distinct parts: an orbiter named Somerville, an “orbital maneuverer” called Tenzing, and a lander known as Bingham. The orbiter will study Neptune’s atmosphere, magnetic field, and outer ice shell, while the orbital maneuverer will position the lander for touchdown on Triton.
The lander itself will be equipped with cameras, spectrometers, magnetometers, and other scientific instruments to study Triton’s surface conditions. Tenzing will also attempt to break through the moon’s outer ice shell using three “penetrators” to gain access to its interior.
Without improved launch capability, such as that offered by Starship, this mission would not be possible. The Arcanum mission is expected to launch in 2030 and arrive at Neptune in 2045, making it one of the most ambitious outer solar system missions to date.
The pressure to send a mission to Neptune will continue to build until humanity returns to this exciting system.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/168559/an-ambitious-mission-to-neptune-could-study-both-the-planet-and-triton/