New Pluto mission could uncover dwarf planet's hidden ocean — if the 'queen of the underworld' gets to fly

Scientists hope to send the Persephone mission to orbit Pluto for three years, investigating whether the dwarf planet has a hidden subsurface ocean. The proposed $3 billion spacecraft would carry 11 instruments to study Pluto's composition, atmosphere, and geological features, arriving after a 27.5-year journey. While NASA's 2015 New Horizons flyby revealed a surprisingly active world with young surfaces, this ambitious 50-year "three-generation" mission faces challenges including the need for nuclear power sources and securing funding approval.