NASA has released proposed science themes for its fifth New Frontiers mission, which aims to meet key needs of scientists while maintaining a balanced portfolio of missions. The report outlines several mission concepts, including a probe to Saturn, a network of sensors on the Moon, and an attempt to collect material from a dwarf planet. These ideas are part of NASA’s efforts to explore the solar system and answer unique science questions.
The New Frontiers program is designed to accomplish focused planetary science investigations using innovative management approaches. The program aims to study unique aspects of the solar system, building on previous successes like the OSIRIS-REx mission. One upcoming mission, Dragonfly, will launch to Saturn’s moon Titan in 2028.
The National Academies report recommends seven missions for review: Centaur Orbiter and Lander, Ceres Sample Return, Comet Surface Sample Return, Enceladus Multiple Flyby, Io Observer, Lunar Geophysical Network, and a Saturn Probe. These missions focus on understanding the properties of icy bodies, recovering material from dwarf planets, studying comets, exploring Saturn’s moon Enceladus, analyzing Jupiter’s fiery moon Io, mapping the Moon’s interior, and measuring fundamental properties of Saturn.
While no decision has been made yet, the report provides a roadmap for NASA. The agency will use this information to focus its attention on future missions and explore new frontiers in space exploration.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/these-7-wild-concepts-are-in-the-running-for-nasas-next-big-mission-2000568254