NASA has officially confirmed that the Dragonfly mission ‘s nuclear-powered helicopter will proceed with its mission to explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon , in 2028. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and various cost overruns, the mission is underway to investigate this celestial body, known for its dense atmosphere and unique characteristics.
Titan, located about 1,200 million km from Earth, stands out as the second largest moon in the solar system and is also the only known moon that has a significant atmosphere, denser than that of Earth. Titan’s atmosphere is rich in nitrogen and methane and the latter contributes to a cycle of complex hydrocarbons that form clouds and precipitate on the surface, creating lakes of methane and ethane.
The rise of the Dragonfly mission
Given the complexity of exploring such a unique environment, conventional methods such as fixed landers are not sufficient. So, inspired by the long-term success of the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, NASA has chosen to use similar technology for Dragonfly. This helicopter can jump from place to place on Titan, allowing it to extensively explore the moon’s swampy and coastal terrain.
Dragonfly will not only carry out geological studies; It will also focus on organic chemistry and look for biosignatures. Although Titan is not considered a likely candidate to host life, its environment may offer clues to prebiotic conditions similar to those believed to have given rise to life on Earth.
Likewise, the mission will use advanced scientific instruments, such as a radiation backscatter system and a mass spectrometer, to analyze local chemistry and record data on Titan’s climate and seismology . This will provide a deeper insight into the internal structure of the moon.
New demands
It is important to mention that due to previous delays and budget challenges, the Dragonfly mission will now need a larger, more powerful rocket to launch and reach Titan by the planned date of 2034 .
Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, expressed enthusiasm for the mission, highlighting its potential to push the boundaries of what is possible in helicopter exploration outside of Earth.
The Dragonfly mission, in addition to representing a milestone in space exploration, promotes innovation in autonomous flight technology in extraterrestrial environments. This mission could lay the foundation for future explorations of other celestial bodies with dense atmospheres or complex surfaces, opening new frontiers in aerospace robotics.
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Source and photo: newatlas.com
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