Outer Planets: Introduction

Over the last couple of decades, the Pioneer, Voyager and Galileo probes have examined the outer planets in detail, revealing worlds of fire and ice, complex ring systems and gigantic storms that have raged for decades or even hundreds of years.

For the next few decades at least, the continuing exploration of the outer solar system is going to be limited to unmanned space probes such as Cassini and the planned Europa orbiter. But what will happen when we are in a position to send manned missions beyond the terrestrial planets? Is there any reason to venture into the outer solar system other than to explore and gather information?

If you've read the page about lunar helium-3, you'll be aware that the lunar regolith contains trace quantities of helium-3, a rare isotope that could provide a vital energy source for the human race once our reserves of fossil fuels and fissionable materials have been exhausted. Although it won't be easy to get at, the atmospheres of the giant planet contain vast quantities of the same isotope.

When completed, these pages will speculate on ways of exploiting these vast reservoirs of helium-3, plus a look at some of the more intriguing worlds of the outer solar system such as Europa and Titan; worlds that may tell us a lot about our own Earth. There will also be a page on the Kuiper Belt, a vast region of icy planetesimals that is only now beginning to reveal its secrets to us.

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