Huygens Probe descent dynamics inferred from Channel B signal level measurements
Plettemeier, D.; Bird, M. K.; Edenhofer, P.; Pérez-Ayúcar, Miguel; Dzierma, Y.; Dutta-Roy, R.
Germany, Netherlands
Abstract
The signal strength of the Huygens Probe Channel B transmission to the Cassini Orbiter was monitored during the Probe descent through Titan's atmosphere on 14 January 2005. A model of the Probe motion during the mission was constructed to include Probe spin, coning motion and tilt caused by varying wind speeds. This simple model is sufficient to reproduce the most prominent features seen in the signal level measurements. It provides estimates of the coning and tilt angles as well as the direction of the Huygens coordinate axes over extended time intervals in the mission.