The 2011-2022 Planetary Science Decadal Survey recommended a Flagship-class orbiter mission to an ice giant with priority behind what would become the Mars 2020 rover and the Europa Clipper.

In 2017, prior to the 2023–2032 survey, a committee narrowed twenty mission concepts to three scenarios for Uranus and a fourth for Neptune.

[14] Nevertheless, again due to cost and logistical considerations including launch vehicle availability and available launch windows, the 2023–2032 Planetary Science Decadal Survey recommended the Uranus Orbiter and Probe instead of an analogous proposal for Neptune, Neptune Odyssey.

[3][4] The orbiter paired with an atmospheric probe will address a variety of scientific questions across all aspects of the Uranus system:[3] The atmospheric probe element of this mission would study the vertical distribution of cloud-forming molecules, thermal stratification, and wind speed as a function of depth.

[7] A later design study suggested results could be significantly enhanced by adding a second probe which could be as small as 30 kg (66 lb) in mass and about 0.5 m (20 in) in diameter.