自从第一颗人造地球卫星——“史波尼克”发射以来,行星探测经历了许多成功与失败。特别是35年前美国停止了“阿波罗”探月计划以来,期间尽管有空间探测计划,但鲜有大科学项目。对此,美国国家研究委员会(NRC)一评估小组对已经进行过的和正在进行的空间计划梳理后提出了新的行星探测目标—— Planetary exploration has undergone many successes and failures since the launch of the first man-made Earth satellite, the “Sputnik.” In particular, since the United States stopped “Apollo” lunar exploration program 35 years ago, there were few major science projects despite its space exploration program. In response, an evaluation team from the National Research Council (NRC) proposed a new goal of planetary exploration after reviewing the space plans that have been carried out and under way -