I initially created this for Cosmo. Then figured, lets open it up to everyone.
And since its my first challenge, I figured it may as well be a doozy and create a real mission.
The attached pdf is an actual summary published on exploration of Neptune and Triton, what is known, what questions could be answered with a modern day look (no one has been that way since Voyager shot past in the late 80s) and what equipment such an expedition would require.
Your mission is to conduct this exploration of Neptune and Triton, answering as many of these questions as possible.
• Determine the existence and depth of an ocean on Triton, and characterize its cryovolcanism
• Characterize Triton’s surface chemistry
• Characterize the composition, structure, and dynamics of Triton’s atmosphere
• Better characterize the range of ages of Triton’s surface units
• Determine the size of Neptune’s core
• Characterize the composition, structure, and dynamics of Neptune’s atmosphere
• Determine how energy and particles flow throughout Neptune’s complex magnetosphere
• Constrain the structure of Neptune’s ring arcs and properties of its irregular satellites
The Rules:
- You may use multiple launches, orbital assembly/re-fuelling. Zero-g pad assembly is also allowed, as is .bp edited craft.
- Remember, cheats are for sissys. And you don't want to be a sissy, do you? Also, make sure drag is on at take-off. Don't try bluffing, it takes me 10 minutes to check your vehicle out.
- Mission may be manned or unmanned. If you go manned, then the crew must return to Earth. If it is unmanned, then Ground Control must have a method of remotely controlling the craft(s) from Earth using satellite communications .
- Return/re-useability isn't mandatory, however the data collected must come back, either through long range communications or return delivery of a data core.
- Sensors used (magnetometers, spectrometers, imaging equipment) must be represented on craft (rovers/landers/probes) used for purpose. Also, these craft either need to have communications to a mother unit for broadcast back to Earth, or must be recoverable from location for physical data transfer.
