A possible new mission called Trident aims to explore Neptune’s strange moon Triton. As Neptune’s largest moon, Triton boasts an uncommon icy mixture on its surface, as well as other unique characteristics that could help scientists learn more about how bodies in the Solar System evolved. Trident is one of four mission concepts competing in the current round of NASA’s Discovery program, which develops relatively low- cost robotic-exploration efforts.
©NASA
The proposed Trident mission - named for its three-pronged approach to solving Triton’s mysteries and inspired by the three-pronged spear carried by the ancient Roman sea god Neptune - plans to visit Triton and study the moon’s entire surface in greater detail.