The exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe

Giuseppe Mitri (1) , Athena Coustenis (2) , Gilbert Fanchini (3) , Alex G. Hayes (4) , Luciano Iess (5) , Krishan Khurana (6) , Jean-Pierre Lebreton (7) , Rosaly M. Lopes (8) , Ralph D. Lorenz (9) , Rachele Meriggiola (5) , Maria Luisa Moriconi (10) , Roberto Orosei (11) , Christophe Sotin (12) , Ellen Stofan (13) , Gabriel Tobie (1) , Tetsuya Tokano (14) , Federico Tosi (15)

1 LPG - Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique [UMR 6112]
2 LESIA - Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique
3 Smart Structures Solutions S.r.l., Rome, Italy
4 Department of Astronomy [Ithaca]
5 DIMA - Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale [Roma La Sapienza]
6 IGPP - Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics [Los Angeles]
7 LPC2E - Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace
8 JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
9 APL - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory [Laurel, MD]
10 ISAC - Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima
11 Freie Universität Berlin
12 CEFREM - Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditérranéens
13 Proxemy Research Inc
14 Institut für Geophysik und Meteorologie [Köln]
15 IAPS - Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali - INAF

Fundamental questions involving the origin, evolution, and history of both Titan and the broader Saturnian system can be answered by exploring this satellite from an orbiter and also in situ. We present the science case for an exploration of Titan and one of its lakes from a dedicated orbiter and a lake probe. Observations from an orbit-platform can improve our understanding of Titan׳s geological processes, surface composition and atmospheric properties. Further, combined measurements of the gravity field, rotational dynamics and electromagnetic field can expand our understanding of the interior and evolution of Titan. An in situ exploration of Titan׳s lakes provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand the hydrocarbon cycle, investigate a natural laboratory for prebiotic chemistry and habitability potential, and study meteorological and marine processes in an exotic environment. We briefly discuss possible mission scenarios for a future exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe. •We present the science case for Titan׳s exploration.•We present mission scenarios for a future exploration of Titan.•This paper is based on a white paper presented for 2013 ESA׳s Call for Large missions.

Keywords: Titan

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]

Giuseppe Mitri, Athena Coustenis, Gilbert Fanchini, Alex G. Hayes, Luciano Iess, et al.. The exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe. Planetary and Space Science, 2014, 104, ⟨10.1016/j.pss.2014.07.009⟩. ⟨insu-01281964⟩