Trident (spacecraft)
NASA space probe proposal to study the ice giant planet Neptune and its moon Triton / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Trident (spacecraft)?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS
Trident is a space mission concept to the outer planets proposed in 2019 to NASA's Discovery Program.[3][4] The concept includes flybys of Jupiter and Neptune with a focus on Neptune's largest moon Triton.
Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...
Mission type | Reconnaissance, flyby of outer planets |
---|---|
Operator | NASA |
Mission duration | 13 years (planned) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | Proposed: 25 October 2025 (with a backup in October 2026)[1] |
Flyby of Earth (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 28 October 2026[2] |
Flyby of Venus (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 25 March 2027[2] |
Flyby of Earth (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 7 February 2028[2] |
Flyby of Earth (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 7 February 2031[2] |
Flyby of Jupiter, Io (gravity assist) | |
Closest approach | 28 June 2032[2] |
Distance | 1.24 RJ or 88,650 km (55,080 mi) |
Flyby of Neptune, Triton | |
Closest approach | 28 June 2038[2] |
Close
In 2020, Trident was selected along with three other Discovery proposals for further study, with two expected to be selected to fly as Discovery 15 and 16.[5] On 2 June 2021, NASA selected the Venus missions DAVINCI+ and VERITAS over Trident and the Io Volcano Observer.[6]