NASA to Explore Saturn Moon with Submarine

Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system and is known primarily for the distinctive rings which surround it. However, it is also home to 62 known moons, the largest of which, Titan, is the second largest moon in the solar system and the only one which retains a significant atmosphere of its own.

For over a decade, the space orbiter Cassini has been studying the seas of liquid methane and ethane which comprise a significant part of the moon’s surface. The craft has been in orbit since 2004, and the following year, the Huygens probe was landed on Titan and beamed back the first known pictures of the landscape. Now, scientists at NASA are discussing the possibility of delving beneath the surface of the extra-terrestrial waters to learn more about the evolution of organic compounds and the development of the moon’s climate.

Sailing on Stranger Tides

A dramatic 3-D animated video released by NASA shows how the organisation hopes to explore the depths of Kraken Mare, the largest sea on Saturn’s moon. A submarine has been suggested as being more practical and easier to control in the unpredictable waters of Titan than a traditional probe, since they will not have to worry about the logistics of lowering instrumentation from a surface vessel.

As well as being able to complete all the tasks of a standard research ship, such as measure the force and frequency of waves and currents and map out the shoreline more thoroughly, the submarine will also be far better equipped to study the seabed. High-resolution images and analysis of the sediment lying on the bottom of these methane and ethane seas could hold valuable intelligence about Titan’s climate history.

The idea has been suggested since Titan is the only significant body within easy reach of the Earth which has possibilities for harbouring a submersible research craft. The mooted submarine would weigh approximately 1,400kg and would be powered by radioisotope generators and renewable waste-heat-fluid loops. It would come equipped with a light and camera setup, sample-acquisition equipment, sonar technology, meteorology sensors, sun sensors, a depth sounder, communicable antennae and a unique ballast system.

Many Irons in the Fire

The Titan explorer mission is just one of more than 50 different concepts which NASA is contemplating pursuing by 2040. If successful, the project would require significant funding and much time devoted to developing a delivery system to submerge the submarine in Titan’s waters. However, it is hoped to serve as a pathfinder for future subaquatic missions on other terrestrial bodies, such as on Jupiter’s moon Europa.

Outside of NASA, one of the most exciting space projects of late is the Mars One Mission. Driven by a Dutch non-profit organisation, the mission hopes to become the first ever to attempt to colonise Mars by 2025. The ambitious idea has captured the imaginations of thousands of hopefuls who applied for the one-way journey, 100 of which have been selected as finalists. Four crew members are thought to be the final number which will participate in the project, and filming its process as a reality television show is one suggested way of raising the funds for the mission. Learn more about this audacious idea by clicking the link above.