Chinese scientists are proposing a groundbreaking national mission to explore Neptune and its largest moon, Triton, with a planned launch in 2033. This mission aims to deploy a spacecraft that will take approximately 16 years to reach Neptune, utilizing gravitational maneuvers around Jupiter and Saturn.
Upon arrival, the spacecraft will study the planet's atmosphere and conduct a detailed investigation of Triton, including its geology and the potential for a subsurface ocean. The mission will be equipped with 11 scientific instruments, powered by two radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs).
These instruments include a magnetometer, particle analyzers, cameras, a microwave radiometer, and an autonomous navigation system. The primary objectives of the mission involve detailed investigations of Neptune's atmosphere, magnetic field, and internal structure, as well as a comprehensive study of Triton, with a particular focus on its potential subsurface ocean. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the characteristics of this distant world and the potential for subsurface oceans.