Titan Surface Probe: Cassini Flyby & Huygens Descent

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the Cassini spacecraft's flyby of Titan and the subsequent descent of the Huygens probe. Participants share articles and updates related to the mission, including its significance as the first attempt to land a probe on a moon other than Earth's. The conversation touches on the timeline of the mission and technical aspects of the probe's data storage capabilities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Cassini spacecraft will come within 1200 km of Titan and release the Huygens probe, which is intended to parachute to the surface.
  • There is mention of the Huygens descent being scheduled for late December, with some updates suggesting it may be rescheduled to mid-January 2005.
  • Participants express interest in the significance of this mission, highlighting that no probe has previously landed on a moon other than Earth's.
  • One participant shares concerns about the data storage method of Huygens, contrasting it with the Galileo probe's issues with its tape recorder.
  • Links to various articles and resources about the Cassini-Huygens mission are shared, indicating a collaborative effort to gather information.
  • There is a report of a successful flyby of Titan, but uncertainty remains regarding the presence of hydrocarbon oceans or lakes on the moon's surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the significance of the Cassini-Huygens mission and share a common interest in its updates. However, there are differing views on the timeline of the Huygens descent and the implications of the data storage technology used.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the potential rescheduling of the Huygens descent, indicating that the timeline may be subject to change. There are also references to previous issues with data storage in other missions, which may affect perceptions of the current mission's reliability.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those following space exploration, particularly the Cassini-Huygens mission, as well as individuals interested in the technical aspects of space probes and their data collection methods.

marcus
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here is an article posted yesterday (Friday)
http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=96361

what other articles do you have about this?

a flyby of Titan by the Cassini craft
releasing a small probe, Huygens,
intended to parachute to surface (possibly liquid)

Cassini will come within 1200 km of Titan
Huygens will be released during the flyby and will
take several weeks to approach the moon

Huygens descent thru Titan atmosphere is scheduled
to occur in late December, around christmas

the article points out that this is the first attempt to
land a probe on any moon besides earth's.
No probe has been landed on a Mars moon or on a Jovian moon.

have there been recent threads about Cassini, and in particular
about the Huygens probe? Anyone have links to other
current articles?
 
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Astronomy news on Phys.org
marcus said:
Anyone have links to other current articles?

Here is a link to Nasa's Cassini-Huygens misision.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html
One or two months ago I had downloaded an interesting report from this web, but now I don't find it here. PF doesn't allow to attach this pdf archive because of its size.

And from ESA...
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=35888

Other links in Sci.Am.: http://www.sciam.com/search/index.cfm?QT=Q&SC=Q&Q=cassini&x=0&y=0

And in the Max Planck
http://www.mpg.de/bilderBerichteDok...emitteilungen/2004/pressemitteilung200406031/
 
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I found this quite helpful...

http://www.rssd.esa.int/SB-general/Projects/Huygens/Mission/Huygens.html

I believe Huygens' arrival at Titan will now be mid-January 2005 due to rescheduling of the mission. The reason for rescheduling is quite interesting in itself, I'll try to find links...

Cheers.

EDIT: this page gives a rough outline why it had to be rescheduled...
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/cassini_change_010620.html
 
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It is a relief to read that Cassini will store Huygens' data on a 'solid-state recorder.' I remember the problems the Galileo probe had with the tape recorder it used to store digital data.
 
Here's where I go to check on the status on the mission...
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm

My own small contribution at Physics Post back in April...
http://www.physicspost.com/science-article-196.html
 
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Successful flyby of Titan yesterday (closest ever)! :approve: Here's the CNN article...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/27/cassini.titan.ap/index.html

So far, they were unable to determine whether hydrocarbon oceans/lakes are present.

Looking forward to Huygens! :cool:
 
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