NASA Decadal Survey

[LostCosmonaut]

At risk of prompting some predictable jokes, it looks like NASA is going back to Uranus. The latest Decadal Survey, which more or less sets the agenda for planetary missions, has released a new report urging a Uranus orbiter and atmospheric probe as a high priority, with a launch targeted around 2031. There would also be a lander dispatched to explore Enceladus, which is second only to Europa as a possible abode for life.

I don't know about y'all, but between this and Artemis (and Starship, and Europa Clipper...), I think we might be looking at another golden age for space exploration!

We’re Going To Uranus! NASA Will Spend $4.2 Billion And $4.9 Billion On New Flagship Missions To The ‘Ice Giant’ And Saturn’s ‘Wet Moon’ Enceladus

It’s official—NASA is being sent to "ice giant" planet Uranus and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Both are recommended flagship missions in the new Decadal Survey for Planetary Science and Astrobiology. It will also go to Mars to pick-up the Perseverance rover's samples.

www.forbes.com

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

Its nice to read some genuine, realistic space reporting. I'm sick of the usual hype merchants (yes, Musk and his worshippers) spouting off about manned Mars landings in a couple of years. All of which is just a front for satellite launching and near-space tourism industries.

 

[LostCosmonaut]

Its nice to read some genuine, realistic space reporting. I'm sick of the usual hype merchants (yes, Musk and his worshippers) spouting off about manned Mars landings in a couple of years. All of which is just a front for satellite launching and near-space tourism industries.

I'm not necessarily holding my breath for boots on Mars anytime soon---though in terms of raw tonnage to orbit, and price, Starship still represents a golden opportunity in the very near future. I follow a planetary scientist on Twitter who is positively brimming with excitement about the payloads it could launch to places like Europa and Enceladus.

 

[Serendipity]

I must admit to having a soft spot for Uranus. Back in 1986 when Voyager 2 flew past Uranus, we were first disappointed by the apparent dullness of what the actual planet looked like. Then a little later came the photograph of its 5th largest moon, Miranda with its deep valleys and chevron-shaped Coronae. Its ice-scape took us all by surprise. It was the first photo of a moon that showed unexpected features. We would still be discussing it today if it wasn't for the Challenger shuttle disaster happening a few days later.

Uranus is a neglected planet when it comes to science fiction. There have been stories and it is perhaps interesting to note that most have on their publication hit the SF community's headlines. My post on the decadal survey recommendation and SF is here.

 

[LostCosmonaut]

I must admit to having a soft spot for Uranus. Back in 1986 when Voyager 2 flew past Uranus, we were first disappointed by the apparent dullness of what the actual planet looked like. Then a little later came the photograph of its 5th largest moon, Miranda with its deep valleys and chevron-shaped Coronae. Its ice-scape took us all by surprise. It was the first photo of a moon that showed unexpected features. We would still be discussing it today if it wasn't for the Challenger shuttle disaster happening a few days later.

Uranus is a neglected planet when it comes to science fiction. There have been stories and it is perhaps interesting to note that most have on their publication hit the SF community's headlines. My post on the decadal survey recommendation and SF is here.

Miranda's definitely an odd place---I remember being wowed by it in a space documentary I watched as a kid. I look forward to when we swing by again and figure out what exactly shattered its surface like that.

Also, I like your post! "Planet of Doubt" was the only Uranus-based SF story that I'd previously heard of. I'll have to check out the other.

 

[Serendipity]

Miranda's definitely an odd place---I remember being wowed by it in a space documentary I watched as a kid. I look forward to when we swing by again and figure out what exactly shattered its surface like that.

Also, I like your post! "Planet of Doubt" was the only Uranus-based SF story that I'd previously heard of. I'll have to check out the other.

Kraxon magazine kindly published a short story of mine that I placed on Miranda way back in 2018. Link to Iceborne, Earth-born here.

All I'm going to say is this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential for Mirandan weirdness.

PS Better not let Ursa see this message, or he'll haunt us with some puns!

 

[LostCosmonaut]

Kraxon magazine kindly published a short story of mine that I placed on Miranda way back in 2018. Link to Iceborne, Earth-born here.

All I'm going to say is this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential for Mirandan weirdness.

PS Better not let Ursa see this message, or he'll haunt us with some puns!

I enjoyed your story! It does a great job of establishing a setting within its very short length. I particularly like the idea of a gas release blasting deadly pellets of ice in all directions, and of Miranda residents developing an instinctive sense for when those releases are about to happen.