Remote sensing observations suffer significant limitations when used to study the bulk atmospheric composition of the giant planets of our Solar System. This impacts our knowledge of the formation of these planets and the physics of their atmospheres. A remarkable example of the superiority of in situ probe measurements was illustrated by the exploration of Jupiter, where key measurements such as the determination of the noble gases’ abundances and the precise measurement of the helium mixing ratio were only made available through in situ measurements by the Galileo probe. Here we describe the main scientific goals to be addressed by the future in situ exploration of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, placing the Galileo probe exploration of Jupiter in a broader context. An atmospheric entry probe targeting the 10-bar level would yield insight into two broad themes: i) the formation history of the giant planets and that of the Solar System, and ii) the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. The probe would descend under parachute to measure composition, structure, and dynamics, with data returned to Earth using a Carrier Relay Spacecraft as a relay station. An atmospheric probe could represent a significant ESA contribution to a future NASA New Frontiers or flagship mission to be launched toward Saturn, Uranus, and/or Neptune.

当用于研究太阳系巨行星的大量大气成分时，遥感观测受到重大限制。这影响了我们对这些行星的形成及其大气物理学的了解。对木星的探索说明了原位探针测量优越性的一个显着例子，在那里关键测量，例如惰性气体丰度的确定和氦混合比的精确测量，只能通过原位测量获得伽利略探测器。在这里，我们描述了未来对土星、天王星和海王星的原位探索要解决的主要科学目标，将伽利略木星探测放在更广阔的背景下。针对 10 巴水平的大气进入探测器将深入了解两个广泛的主题：i) 巨行星和太阳系的形成历史，以及 ii) 行星大气中的过程。探测器将在降落伞下下降以测量成分、结构和动力学，并使用载体中继航天器作为中继站将数据返回地球。大气探测器可能代表欧空局对未来美国宇航局新前沿或旗舰任务的重大贡献，该任务将向土星、天王星和/或海王星发射。使用载波中继航天器作为中继站将数据返回地球。大气探测器可能代表欧空局对未来美国宇航局新前沿或旗舰任务的重大贡献，该任务将向土星、天王星和/或海王星发射。使用载波中继航天器作为中继站将数据返回地球。大气探测器可能代表欧空局对未来美国宇航局新前沿或旗舰任务的重大贡献，该任务将向土星、天王星和/或海王星发射。