List of NASA Missions to Ariel

Ariel, one of Uranus’s mid-sized icy moons, orbits in a cold, distant system where scars from past geological activity and impact craters tell a story of its evolution. Its mix of smooth plains and troughs makes Ariel an interesting target for both past flybys and future orbiters.

There are 2 NASA Missions to Ariel, ranging from Uranus Orbiter and Probe to Voyager 2. For each mission I list Year (YYYY),Mission type,Closest approach (km) so you can compare timing, objectives and how near each craft came — details you’ll find below.

How close did Voyager 2 come to Ariel?

Voyager 2 flew past the Uranian system in 1986 and imaged Ariel from a relatively distant flyby, providing the only close-up views we have today; exact closest-approach distances vary by target and are listed in the table below for precise numbers and imaging coverage.

Is a Uranus Orbiter and Probe planned to study Ariel more closely?

A Uranus Orbiter and Probe is a recommended mission concept under study and could provide detailed, long-term observations of Ariel if selected and funded; timelines are still tentative, so check the entries below for current proposed years and mission type details.

Nasa Missions to Ariel

Images and Descriptions

Voyager 2

Voyager 2 flew through the Uranus system in 1986 and imaged Ariel up close, revealing craters, faulted terrains and bright icy surfaces. Completed mission; its photos and spectra remain the only close-up data for Ariel used by scientists today.

Uranus Orbiter and Probe

A NASA flagship-class proposed mission to orbit Uranus and deploy an atmospheric probe; Ariel is explicitly listed as a principal moon target. Proposed status; would return high-resolution imaging, composition and interior data if approved and launched.