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http://space.com/images/031014_huygens_02.jpg
http://space.com/scienceastronomy/titan_probes_040203.html
http://space.com/scienceastronomy/titan_probes_040203.html
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The Cassini spacecraft is rapidly approaching Saturn. In July of this year, the huge spacecraft uses its engine to brake into orbit around the ringed world.
As part of that mission, the European Space Agency Huygens probe will float to the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, in January 2005
From a remote outpost on the summit of Hawaii's dormant Mauna Kea volcano, astronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory have been on Titan watch. Meanwhile, there is on-going work to blueprint future, on-the-spot exploration of the enigmatic moon. [continued]
Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, and the second largest moon in our solar system. It is the only moon in our solar system with a dense atmosphere, which is mostly made up of nitrogen.
Titan is believed to have many similarities to Earth in terms of its geological processes and potential for supporting life. It is also rich in organic compounds, making it a prime target for further exploration and research.
The Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint effort between NASA and the European Space Agency, was the first and only mission to land a probe on Titan and gather data. The mission ended in 2017.
The proposed mission is called Dragonfly, and it involves sending a drone-like spacecraft to explore Titan's surface and atmosphere. This mission is currently being considered by NASA for its next New Frontiers mission.
Exploring Titan could provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, as well as the potential for life on other worlds. It could also help us better understand the processes and conditions that led to the development of life on Earth.