To Uranus: scientists are preparing the first mission to the planet by 2032

The first orbiter could go to Uranus by 2032. About this journal Science Perspectives told planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in the United States Kathleen Mandt. A planet with rings and 27 moons, made up of hydrogen and helium, could help scientists solve the mystery of the origin of water in the solar system.

Spacecraft were near Uranus only once - on January 24, 1986. And it wasn't a complete mission. Then NASA's Voyager 2 probe literally rushed past the ice giant during its flight to Neptune. But these few minutes were enough to make the first more or less high-quality pictures planets with moons.

Nearly four decades later, scientists want to return to Uranus again. NASA is now prioritizing the launch of the Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) mission, in which a research probe will be sent to the planet. It is assumed that he will be able to approach its surface and study the atmosphere.

Scientists expect to learn the history of the "migration" of the planet and the reason for its strong tilt, which causes extreme atmospheric seasonal changes for 84 Earth years.

Scientists plan to launch UOP by 2032 to take advantage of the huge Jupiter's gravity, thanks to which the gas giant will push the spacecraft into place destination. In this case, it will reach Uranus around 2050.