Pluto stands out as a surprising world, retaining internal heat that keeps it from freezing solid. This revelation came to light thanks to NASA’s New Horizons mission, which gave us a closer look at this distant body in our solar system.
Scientists are intrigued by what lies beneath Pluto’s icy surface. Questions swirl about its mysterious ocean, the thickness of its ice sheets, and whether any of its cryovolcanoes are still active. Plus, there’s the entire hidden side of Pluto that remains a puzzle.
To unlock these mysteries, researchers are considering an orbiter mission named Persephone, after the mythological figure associated with Pluto. While this mission is still conceptual and hasn’t been officially proposed to NASA, it highlights the challenges of reaching and orbiting such a distant planet.
The Persephone mission idea, initially drafted in 2020, suggests launching in 2031 using a powerful rocket. However, this timeline is more aspirational than realistic, especially since the required rocket doesn’t currently exist. If we imagine a successful launch, it could take over 27 years for the spacecraft to reach Pluto and enter orbit, possibly around 2058.
Additionally, one more proposal called Gold Standard, led by Alan Stern, who also helmed New Horizons, outlines a mission that could arrive at Pluto by the late 2050s. This plan also includes enough fuel for the spacecraft to leave Pluto and explore beyond, targeting even farther destinations.
Both missions rely on getting a gravitational boost from Jupiter to speed up their journeys. However, Jupiter’s position will actually delay access for a decade, complicating plans for launches in the early 2030s.
Historically, New Horizons made the trip from Earth to Pluto in about nine years, but this was a much smaller spacecraft. An orbiter needs to be larger, equipped with the power to slow down enough to be captured by Pluto’s weak gravity. Without the right speed and fuel, a spacecraft could miss Pluto entirely.
Recent discussions around space missions reveal growing interest in the outer solar system, with missions targeting places like Titan and Mars often trending on social media. This reflects public curiosity about our universe and its vast, unexplored territories.
As we venture further, missions like Persephone could provide unprecedented insights into the mysteries of dwarf planets and beyond, keeping a watchful eye on everything our inner solar system can teach us about formation and evolution.
You can read the initial outline for the Persephone mission in detail through NASA’s official document.
