Color Me Impressed: Mission NOCRIS’s Goal to Explore Neptune

Due to being the only planet in our Solar System invisible to the human eye, Neptune has always intrigued people. NOCRIS aims to change the aura of mystery around its colors, which are slightly different than Uranus for unknown reasons. NOCRIS is an acronym for Neptune-Orbiting Camera Radioisotope Interstellar Satellite. NOCRIS would visit Neptune to collect pictures and information for studying the atmosphere and colors of Neptune, using a satellite. Neptune’s actual colors were recently revealed in pictures. Many scientists are now proposing we study Neptune’s look further. Neptune doesn’t have an actual solid surface terrain–it’s mainly composed of helium and hydrogen. Mission NOCRIS could discover why Neptune and Uranus are slightly-different shades of blue. Using the Radioisotope Power System (RPS) is crucial for the success of NOCRIS. Because Neptune is so far from the sun, we will not be able to rely on solar power. The next best alternative, the RPS, allows for up to 14 years of powering a spacecraft. Seeing that a space-satellite is usually used for at most 15 years, the RPS has the ability to essentially power the satellite, no matter the distance from the sun, for the entire usage-span. I would be a good candidate for working on this project because of my open communication skills. When I work on a project, I communicate with my partners on every step. I say what my plan is and ask them for suggestions. I don’t withhold any relevant information from them, unless it’s strictly confidential.