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Chemical Composition of Icy Satellite Surfaces
Stephan, K.; Carlson, R. W.; McCord, T. B. +4 more
Much of our knowledge of planetary surface composition is derived from remote sensing over the ultraviolet through infrared wavelength ranges. Telescopic observations and, in the past few decades, spacecraft mission observations have led to the discovery of many surface materials, from rock-forming minerals to water ice to exotic volatiles and org…
Formation and Evolution of Titan's Atmosphere
Coustenis, Athena
The origin and evolution of Titan’s enigmatic atmosphere is reviewed. Starting with the present-day volatile inventory, the question of what was the original composition on Titan and how a satellite of similar size to other Galilean moons managed to acquire and hold on to the required material is discussed. In particular the possible sources and s…
The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer for the Huygens Probe
Israel, G.; Atreya, S. K.; Lunine, J. I. +16 more
The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) on the Huygens Probe will measure the chemical composition of Titan's atmosphere from 170 km altitude (∼1 hPa) to the surface (∼1500 hPa) and determine the isotope ratios of the major gaseous constituents. The GCMS will also analyze gas samples from the Aerosol Collector Pyrolyser (ACP) and may be abl…
The Characterisation of Titan's Atmospheric Physical Properties by the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (Hasi)
Rodrigo, R.; Barucci, M. A.; Fulchignoni, M. +25 more
The Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI) is a multi-sensor package which has been designed to measure the physical quantities characterising the atmosphere of Titan during the Huygens probe descent on Titan and at the surface. HASI sensors are devoted to the study of Titan's atmospheric structure and electric properties, and to provide …
The Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) Experiment on the Huygens Entry Probe of Titan
Tomasko, M. G.; Smith, P. H.; Fellows, C. +11 more
The payload of the Huygens Probe into the atmosphere of Titan includes the Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR). This instrument includes an integrated package of several optical instruments built around a silicon charge coupled device (CCD) detector, a pair of linear InGaAs array detectors, and several individual silicon detectors. Fiber opt…
The Huygens Probe: Science, Payload and Mission Overview
Matson, D. L.; Lebreton, J. -P.
Huygens is an entry probe designed to descend under parachute through the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, down to the surface. The main Huygens science mission phase occurs during the 2 21/2 hours parachute descent. Measurements will also be conducted during the 3 min entry and possibly up to about one hour on the surface if…
Organic Chemistry and Exobiology on Titan
Owen, Tobias; Raulin, François
Exobiology is not only the study of the origin, distribution and evolution of life in the universe, but also of structures — including at the molecular level, and processes — including organic chemical transformations — related to life. In that respect, with its dense nitrogen atmosphere, which includes a noticeable fraction of methane, and the ma…
Huygens' Surface Science Package
Leese, M. R.; Hathi, B.; Zarnecki, J. C. +2 more
The design and performance of the Surface Science Package (SSP) on the Huygens probe are discussed. This instrument consists of nine separate sensors that are designed to measure a wide range of physical properties of Titan's lower atmosphere, surface, and sub-surface. By measuring a number of physical properties of the surface it is expected that…
The Huygens Doppler Wind Experiment - Titan Winds Derived from Probe Radio Frequency Measurements
Plettemeier, D.; Bird, M. K.; Wohlmuth, R. +10 more
A Doppler Wind Experiment (DWE) will be performed during the Titan atmospheric descent of the ESA Huygens Probe. The direction and strength of Titan's zonal winds will be determined with an accuracy better than 1 m s-1 from the start of mission at an altitude of ∼160 km down to the surface. The Probe's wind-induced horizontal motion wil…
Huygens Probe Aerosol Collector Pyrolyser Experiment
Israel, G.; Steller, M.; Riedler, W. +6 more
ACP's main objective is the chemical analysis of the aerosols in Titan's atmosphere. For this purpose, it will sample the aerosols during descent and prepare the collected matter (by evaporation, pyrolysis and gas products transfer) for analysis by the Huygens Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). A sampling system is required for sampling t…