Top contenders include astronomers who discovered Jupiter (William Herschel) and some of its moons (William Lassell and Gerard Kuiper). There doesn't seem to be much in the way of naming convention between these missions, which means there's room for creativity in naming the Uranus probe. The Voyager probes have left the Solar System New Horizons is following. Jupiter has the Juno probe – named after the Roman goddess queen, married to Jupiter. BepiColombo is currently en route to Mercury, while Akatsuki (a Japanese word meaning 'dawn') currently orbits Venus. Mars has (or has had) Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance. This mission concept is currently going by the name Uranus Orbiter and Probe (UOP) – but other Solar System missions can have catchier names. Tempest (my personal favorite-keeps the Shakespeare theme going)- Corey S. If we can't reuse Herschel, the obvious choice, then how about: Uranus's large ice-rock moons displayed surprising evidence of geological activity in limited Voyager 2 flyby data, and are potential ocean worlds.' 'A primordial giant impact may have produced the planet's extreme axial tilt and possibly its rings and satellites, although this is uncertain. 'Its low internal energy, active atmospheric dynamics, and complex magnetic field all present major puzzles. 'Uranus is one of the most intriguing bodies in the Solar System,' the scientists wrote. In fact, so important is Uranus deemed that the panel, out of all its recommendations, gave the stinky planet top priority. Earlier this year, this led a panel of experts from the US National Academies to recommend a mission to Uranus in its decadal report to NASA. The ice giants, on the other hand, have been somewhat neglected. Even Jupiter's moons are getting a mission. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have all been visited and surveyed by dedicated probes. Missions have been sent, by now, to most planets in the Solar System. We want to know, what would YOU name the #Uranus Orbiter & Probe Mission? ⚪️🛰️ #letsgoback #icegiants #namethemission /o6vLLgdvMo- Ice Giant Missions 🛰 September 10, 2022Ī mission to Uranus is not currently in development, but nor is it entirely a pipe dream. Surprisingly, however, the butt jokes appear to be in the minority, with many respondents taking the question in good faith, and answering accordingly. That, of course, was among the top answers, but with ground as fertile as Uranus, why flog a dead horse? Given the potential puns that are inevitably attached to Uranus, this is dangerous territory, even beyond the expected 'Something McSomethingface'. Asking the internet to name a scientific mission has become something of a tradition, but we think even the bravest might quail at a recent ask on Twitter.Īn unofficial Twitter account promoting future missions to our Solar System's ice giants, Ice Giant Missions, requested suggestions for what to name a probe sent to Uranus.

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