Voyager 2 flew by both Uranus (R) and Neptune (L), and revealed the properties, colors, atmospheres, and ring systems of both worlds. They both have rings, many interesting moons, and atmospheric and surface phenomena we’re just waiting to investigate. (NASA / VOYAGER 2)

Ask Ethan: Can We Send A Cassini-Like Mission To Uranus Or Neptune?

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft taught us more than we ever imagined about Saturn. Could we do something similar for Uranus and Neptune?

From where we are in the Solar System, looking out at the distant Universe with our powerful ground-based and space-based observatories has given us views and knowledge many of us never thought we’d achieve. But there’s still no substitute for actually traveling to a distant location, as dedicated missions to many of the planets have taught us. Despite all the resources we’ve devoted to planetary science, we’ve only ever sent one mission to Uranus and Neptune: Voyager 2, which only flew by them. What are our prospects for an orbiter mission to those outer worlds? That’s what Erik Jensen wants to know, as he asks:

There is a window coming when spacecraft could be sent to Uranus or Neptune using Jupiter for a gravitational boost. What are the constraints on using this but being able to slow sufficiently for entering orbit around the “ice giants”?

Let’s take a look.