Titan Mission Studies - A Historical Review
From The Space Library
Author - R.D. Lorenz
Co-Author(s) -
JBIS Volume # - 62
Page # - 162-174
Year - 2009
Keywords - Titan, mission design, aerocapture, balloon
JBIS Reference Code # - 2009.62.162
Number of Pages - 13
Abstract
The literature of previous mission studies to Titan is surveyed, with common themes and approaches highlighted. The relationship of this 35-year record of studies to the missions that have actually flown to Titan and elsewhere is considered, and the mission concepts studied in some detail in the last two years are set in a wider context. The Titan environment is such as to permit a wide range of vehicle types including orbiters, landers, boats, airplanes, balloons and penetrators. Particularly recurrent themes in Titan exploration are the use of multiple platforms to address a wide range of scientific goals, the use of aerocapture to efficiently deliver mass to Titan orbit, and the use of lighter-than-air vehicles for wide-ranging near-surface mobility.
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