The exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe

Giuseppe Mitri; Athena Coustenis; Gilbert Fanchini; Alex G. Hayes; Luciano Iess; Krishan Khurana; Jean-Pierre Lebreton; Rosaly M. Lopes; Ralph D. Lorenz; Rachele Meriggiola; Maria Luisa Moriconi; Roberto Orosei; Christophe Sotin; Ellen Stofan; Gabriel Tobie; Tetsuya Tokano; Federico Tosi

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2014.07.009

Journal articles

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 ¹⁰ Maria Luisa Moriconi ¹¹ Roberto Orosei ¹² Christophe Sotin ¹³ Ellen Stofan ¹⁴ Gabriel Tobie ¹ Tetsuya Tokano ¹⁵ Federico Tosi ¹⁶

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 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale

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 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, Università La Sapienza, 00184 Rome, Italy

11 ISAC - Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima

12 Freie Universität Berlin

13 CEFREM - Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditérranéens

14 Proxemy Research Inc

15 Institut für Geophysik und Meteorologie [Köln]

16 IAPS - Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali - INAF

Abstract : 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

Document type :

Journal articles

Domain :

Sciences of the Universe [physics]

Complete list of metadatas

https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01281964
Contributor : Nathalie Rouchon <>
Submitted on : Thursday, March 3, 2016 - 10:04:42 AM
Last modification on : Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - 11:40:05 AM

The exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe

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The exploration of Titan with an orbiter and a lake probe

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