The next flagship mission from NASA could answer some of the universe’s most elusive questions by sending an orbiter and probe to Uranus, authors of a highly influential scientific survey told legislators Thursday.
The decadal survey for planetary science and astrobiology is commissioned by NASA and the National Science Foundation to compile the scientific community’s top priorities. It outlines a $4.2 billion mission that could kick off as soon as fiscal 2024.
“The private contractors, the space industry, will be the ones building the spacecraft in large components of these missions,” said Hampton University professor of planetary science Kunio Sayanagi, ...