Iceana to the Rescue!

Out of sight but not out of mind! Iceana, my flyby space mission, will be launched on October 15, 2027, to study Neptune, its moons, and its magnetosphere. This spacecraft will use the next generation Radioisotope Power System (RPS) technology, a Stirling engine to produce more efficient and dependable electrical power to operate and maintain it. Iceana will not exceed a 1,000 pounds but will carry enough scientific instruments to help scientists study Neptune’s dynamic atmosphere by testing hypotheses on cosmic rays’ effects, monitoring Neptune’s position in relation to the Sun, and exploring any correlation between Neptune’s magnetic field and its turbulent atmosphere. To ensure that the next generation RPS, the Stirling engine to be used in Iceana, is safe, I will work with my team to conduct safety assessments on plutonium dioxide powered modules used as a heat source until we launch it. Furthermore, monitoring the actual studies conducted by other science using telescopic observations can help me and my team update the list of scientific instruments on board of Iceana. With my foresight and tenacity, I hope to inspire my team to keep persevering in the planning and the execution of this mission so it’s successful.