NASA Unveils Its Future Plans For The Solar System

NASA's next missions for the solar system include persistent exploration of the Red Planet, the giant space telescopes and examine the Jupiter's moons. The space agency remains to explore the solar system to find answers to basic questions about the mysteries of the Universe, exploration of possible life and other creatures on other planets.

One of the latest missions of NASA is the upcoming Juno's first close-up images of the largest planet, Jupiter, which will be taken on August 27 during the spacecraft's next pass by the planet. Jim Green, the NASA Planetary Division Director said that Juno is the latest example of the extraordinary science they look forward to right in the solar system. He further said that there are many uncharted, promising worlds and objects they are eager to explore with their current and future missions, as noted by Astronomy Magazine.

Furthermore, NASA will persistently study Jupiter's moons. NASA officials said that they have nine science instruments that they will use for the mission to Europa. They plan to search for a liquid ocean under the surface of the unusual satellite. They will also continue to observe the intense geological activity on lo, which is the most volcanically active object in the entire solar system, as reported by Red Orbit.

NASA will soon launch the Hubble space telescopes, the new James Webb Space Telescope in 2018. This instrument aims to monitor all of the planets and moons in the solar system. These include observing distant objects located anywhere in the Universe.

Paul Geithner, the technical manager for the telescope explained that from 2016 to 2018, there are installations and test for the telescope and the telescope plus the instruments, followed by shipping to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There will be optical testing in a simulated cryo-temperature and vacuum space environment. He added that all the parts will be shipped to Northrop Grunman for final assembly and testing.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft will continue to explore the planet Saturn, its rings and moons. The spacecraft's mission has started since 2004 and will have its final phase in 2017. The spacecraft will complete the 22 dives in the narrow gap between Saturn's outer atmosphere and its rings. This set of orbits is called the Grand Finale. It is like a new mission with new views and novel scientific insights.

NASA also is continually exploring Mars. The Opportunity and Curiosity rovers are currently exploring the Red Planet. Meanwhile, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) and other orbiters are persistent in monitoring Mar's atmosphere from above. The InSight, which is a mission that aims to study the interior of Mars, is set to launch in 2018. This is followed two years later by the next-generation of Mars rover.