Saturn

[Tormod]

Anyone following the Saturn mission? I think it is incredibly exciting. I try to post some updates in the news section now and then but there is so much stuff coming in.

Considering it's almost 20 years since Voyager passed Saturn, it's really a big moment in the exploration of our solar system. Mars is one thing - we learn new stuff about it every day - but Saturn is so alien, with the rings, and that incredible moon, Titan. It's really exciting!

What do you think? Is exploring the solar system a worthy cause?

[Uncle Martin]

I've been keeping up with the Cassini-Huygens mission almost as much as the Mars rovers and Beagle missions. (So sad about Beagle). The data is streaming in already. When I was in school Saturn had only nine known moons, now it is 31. Cassini may increase the count. I'm really looking forward to the probe telling us more about Titan. I think it is the only moon in the solar system with an appreciable atmosphere, and composed of much organic matter. Wouldn't it be nice if Huygens got a picture of a flock of birds on it's way down?

[Tormod]

For anyone who wants to follow the news, here is the source - NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm


One great thing about the Cassini/Huygens mission, though, is that it is a joint project where both NASA and ESA (The European Space Agency) aer working together.

Tormod

[Uncle Martin]

Originally posted by: Tormod
One great thing about the Cassini/Huygens mission, though, is that it is a joint project where both NASA and ESA (The European Space Agency) aer working together.

I agree, space exploration, among other things, should be a global effort. Am I correct in saying that the ESA is primarily responsible for the Huygens landing on Titan? And when is that scheduled to occur?(found that- January 2005)

[Tormod]

Yes. Back at the end of the 70s the plan was actually that ESA would build the orbiter while NASA would build the Titan lander. I think reality kicked in and they switched roles (probably a wise move!). There are instruments on both the oribter and lander, however, built jointly and operated by both agencies.

The Huygens probe will descend on Titan around January 14/15 2005 and it's a one-shot affair so if it doesn't work then that's it. Remember what happened to Beagle 2, the Mars lander...but the Huygens project is completely different and should have a much higher probability for success.

[Freethinker]

I am on several NASA and Space mailing lists and get e-mails daily with updates. A few days ago I got a NASA link to a page that had, to me, the most mind boggling thing yet. It was a "recording" or the "sounds" of particles hitting the Cassini high gain anntenna. Imagine SOUND from that far away. To actually HEAR something from Cassini as it would basically sound if you were inside Cassini.

Ya it was just little clicks, but the consider the source!

Saturn Hailstorm

An instrument onboard Cassini recorded a flurry of tiny particles pelting the spacecraft as it crossed Saturn's dusty ring plane.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2...htm?list890521

[Tormod]

That is pretty cool! Thanks for the link.

[Freethinker]

Originally posted by: Tormod
Remember what happened to Beagle 2,

Ya, British, like the Jaguar! Great idea, but the cars were known for horrible reliability problems.

[Uncle Martin]

Originally posted by: Freethinker

Ya, British, like the Jaguar! Great idea, but the cars were known for horrible reliability problems.

Well that ought to offend several of our members. I think Blame is from the UK.

[Tormod]

I don't know about the Jag (although I own three but I just keep them in my garage) but the British DID get the blame for Beagle 2.

Tormod