A Mission to Explore the Methane Lakes on Titan – Universe Today
[ad_1]
Titan has become a center of increasing attention as of late. Discoveries from Cassini have only increased interest in the solar system’s second-largest moon. Liquid on its surface has already prompted one upcoming mission – the Dragonfly drone NASA plans to launch in the mid-2030s. Now a team of dozens of scientists has put their names behind a proposal to ESA for a similar mission. This one is called POSEIDON and would specialize in exploring some of TItan’s methane lakes.
Neither mission will be the first time Titan’s surface has been visited, though. That distinction belongs to Huygens – a lander launched with the Cassini probe. Unfortunately, with the relatively limited technology of a probe launched in the late 1990s, it was only able to send data back from the surface for about an hour and a half.
Both Dragonfly and POSEIDON have much longer mission timelines planned. POSEIDON itself would comprise at least two separate vehicles. One orbiter that would allow consistent, close monitoring of the moon and at least one lander that would both collect atmospheric data on its way down as hydrological data from the lakes that would be its primary target. Another potential is to have a swarm of landers that would allow multiple data collection missions simultaneously but would require significant advances in swarm technology that might be on the horizon before the missions’ launch date.
No matter what configuration of probes it ends up with, POSEIDON will have three particular mission goals for its time on the shrouded moon – understand its atmosphere, its geology, and its habitability. At this early stage of development, the mission payload is up in the air, but various instruments could answer a variety of different questions.
One instrument the team stressed was a more powerful mass spectrometer. Cassin’s mass spectrometer hit its limit when it found large ions in the upper atmosphere, so most of its composition remains unknown. With a more powerful instrument, more of that composition would become clear. Since Titan also has seasons, a more extended mission would allow scientists to potentially collect atmospheric data for a whole season, giving finer detail to Titan’s dynamic changes.
However, the atmosphere obscures the moon’s surface, making it challenging to observe Titan’s geology from Earth. Having a nearby orbiter would therefore have plenty of advantages in understanding the makeup of the moon itself. The most crucial instrument for understanding Titan’s geology, the second of the mission goals, is a ground-penetrating radar attached to an orbiter. On Earth, the technology is used to map utility lines or structural concrete footers, while in space exploration, it helps scientists map out potential areas of interest.
Credit – ESA / ATG medialab
Some of those areas of interest might be harboring something even more exciting – life. Titan is one of the few places in the solar system that might be potentially habitable thanks to its standing liquid lakes. There is a lot unknown about its ability to harbor anything as complicated as a biosphere, and POSEIDON hopes to start filling in those unknowns.
The best way to collect data to fill in those unknowns is to collect a direct sample from Titan’s surface. This is best done by a drone using a spectrometer similar to the one required for atmospheric observations and named CosmOrbitrap in the white paper. Additional evidence for life, such as chirality, could be collected via a chiral gas chromatograph.
Whatever the eventual payload and configuration, there is still a long way to go before anything gets off the ground. This also isn’t the first time such a mission has been proposed to ESA either. Some form of it has been floating around the agency since the early 2000s. But with specific deadlines getting closer, the project might be getting to a make or break point soon.
Currently, the project plan suggests a launch in the early 2030s, arriving on Titan before the moon’s spring equinox in the northern hemisphere on 22 January 2039. Dragonfly, NASA’s drone mission to Titan, will likely land slightly before then and start providing valuable data to the mission planers before their final approach.
Left Credit – Radebaugh et al.
Right Credit – Google Earth
While the orbiter component of POSEIDON will remain in orbit around the planet, the lander will likely touch down in the northern hemisphere near an extensive series of lakes. Dragonfly, which will focus more on the equatorial regions, would collect data from a very different climatic, and potentially geologic, perspective.
All this effort and planning will come to not if the project isn’t funded. The white paper was submitted in response to one of the objectives of the ESA Voyage 2050 mission themes being defined as “Moons of the giant planets.” Titan is one of the most interesting, but there is still a long way to go before any ESA mission touches down or orbits the moon again.
Learn More:
arXiv – Science goals and new mission concepts for future exploration of Titan’s atmosphere, geology and habitability: Titan POlar Scout/orbitEr and In situ lake lander and DrONe explorer (POSEIDON)
ESA – Voyage 2050 sets sail: ESA chooses future science mission themes
UT – Dragonfly Mission has Some Ambitious Science Goals to Accomplish When it Arrives at Titan
UT – Titan’s Atmosphere Has All the Ingredients For Life. But Not Life as We Know It
Lead Image:
Possible configurations for multiple drone observation systems as part of POSEIDON’s on-surface program.
Credit – Université de Paris/IPGP/CNRS/A. Lucas
[ad_2]
Original Post
Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with useful info to work on. You have done an impressive process and our entire community will probably be thankful to you.
Keep working ,fantastic job!
Whats Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help different users like its helped me. Great job.
I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great content.
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
Terrific work! This is the type of information that are meant to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this publish higher! Come on over and consult with my website . Thanks =)
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one?¦s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
Superb blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!
Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your effort!
Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was looking for!
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i’m happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don’t forget this site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Wonderful website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff prior to and you are simply too excellent. I actually like what you have bought right here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which through which you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you. That is really a great web site.
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this website would like to go on updated.
Yay google is my world beater assisted me to find this outstanding web site! .
As soon as I found this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
This web page is known as a walk-by means of for the entire information you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll undoubtedly uncover it.
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
You are my intake, I own few web logs and very sporadically run out from to post .
obviously like your web site but you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality however I¦ll surely come again again.
Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I feel I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely extensive for me. I’m having a look ahead in your next submit, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!
Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
F*ckin’ awesome things here. I’m very glad to look your post. Thanks so much and i’m taking a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue along with your site in web explorer, could test this?K IE still is the market chief and a big section of other people will omit your fantastic writing due to this problem.
Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Hello. Great job. I did not imagine this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you Nevertheless I’m experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss downside? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the best I’ve found out so far. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the supply?
F*ckin¦ amazing things here. I¦m very glad to look your article. Thank you a lot and i’m having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for posting.
I have been checking out many of your posts and it’s pretty good stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.