We’ve relegated Pluto to dwarf planet status, but it still attracts enormous scientific interest. After the New Horizons mission flew by it in the Kuiper Belt in 2015, there were even more questions that needed answers. Hence, researchers proposed another ambitious mission – Persephone, the implementation of which may take up to 50 years.
New Horizons provided unique data on Pluto and its unique moon, Charon. Scientists have discovered, among others: Sputnik Planitia – an ice cap that may indicate the presence of a subsurface ocean. However, this is only a hypothesis, because the observations so far are not enough to confirm it. Persephone aims to fill this gap by answering four key scientific questions. They concern the evolution of the Kuiper Belt, the environment of particles and magnetic fields in this zone, changes in the surfaces of Pluto and Charon and their internal structure.
One of the most intriguing issues is the possibility of a subsurface ocean on Pluto. Despite its enormous distance from the Sun, there is evidence suggesting that this dwarf planet may have an active geological profile, and its internal structure conceals potential reservoirs of liquid water. A probe equipped with advanced sensors – from cameras, through spectrometers and radars, to magnetometers – could provide the necessary data to resolve this issue.
However, the planned mission is extremely demanding. The journey to Pluto, using the gravitational assistance of Jupiter, is expected to take as long as 28 years. The orbiter will then conduct research in the orbit of Pluto and Charon for three years. Further plans assume the possibility of extending the mission to other Kuiper Belt objects, which will allow comparison of different types of celestial bodies in this region of the Solar System.
In principle, we could accelerate this mission with more efficient propulsion technologies, including: electric drive (with nuclear energy support). If development in this direction is successful, the mission time could be shortened by two years, even with an increased load on the research equipment. The question is whether this technology will be ready by 2031 – and that is when Persephone is scheduled to launch from Earth.
A unique aspect of the mission is its characteristics – it is intended to be an orbiter. The device will be able to collect detailed data for an extended period of time, which is crucial to achieving mission goals for Pluto and Charon. The initial cost of the mission is estimated at approximately PLN 12 billion (USD 3 billion), which places it among the most expensive space exploration projects by far. It will take decades to see the results, but many researchers believe that the potential discoveries are worth the investment. Well, it’s interesting to talk about a space mission whose final outcome I may simply… not live to see. In 50 years I will be in my 80s, which is longer than the average life expectancy (74.7 years) for a man in Poland.
Source: antyweb.pl
