Two scientists want to touch Saturn's rings: NASA says this daring mission could actually work

Two NASA-backed projects aim to sample Saturn's rings, selected under the NIAC programme.

The PRAXIS mission, led by Dr. B. Marco Quadrelli at JPL, would use a touch-and-go approach to collect ring material.

A second concept proposes deploying thousands of tiny spacecraft to fly through Saturn's rings.

The missions target mysteries about ring formation and age that remained after the Cassini mission ended in 2017.

Saturn's rings are dangerous due to fast-moving ice particles ranging from microscopic to house-sized.