A Neptune orbiter is interesting.
Triton, it's large close in satellite is a fascinating contrast to Pluto, and it is also useful to gravitationally modify an orbiters tour of the Neptune system, similar to Cassini at Saturn, saving tremendous fuel.
Also, it's atmosphere, well characterized by Voyager II, could be used for a braking maneuver by an approaching spacecraft arriving at an arbitrarily high speed (to shorten transit time there).
Once in orbit, the craft could approach the rings and their entourage of small irregular satellites. Triton is also massive enough to direct the craft to orbits of many inclinations, allowing close looks at either Neptune pole. Neptune's 'Hill Sphere' is large, long orbits to encounter Nereid and other outer small satellites would be feasible too.
An 'end of mission' scenario might involve Triton 'flinging' the orbiter ahead or behind Neptune in it's orbit around the sun for an eventual close encounter(s) with a Neptune
Trojan asteroid.
Triton, it's large close in satellite is a fascinating contrast to Pluto, and it is also useful to gravitationally modify an orbiters tour of the Neptune system, similar to Cassini at Saturn, saving tremendous fuel.
Also, it's atmosphere, well characterized by Voyager II, could be used for a braking maneuver by an approaching spacecraft arriving at an arbitrarily high speed (to shorten transit time there).
Once in orbit, the craft could approach the rings and their entourage of small irregular satellites. Triton is also massive enough to direct the craft to orbits of many inclinations, allowing close looks at either Neptune pole. Neptune's 'Hill Sphere' is large, long orbits to encounter Nereid and other outer small satellites would be feasible too.
An 'end of mission' scenario might involve Triton 'flinging' the orbiter ahead or behind Neptune in it's orbit around the sun for an eventual close encounter(s) with a Neptune
Trojan asteroid.
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