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Space Topics: Cassini-Huygens
Mission Objectives
The Cassini orbiter is designed and instrumented to perform in-depth study
of the diverse phenomena in the Saturn system, including: Saturn itself; its
giant, haze-shrouded moon Titan; the dynamic rings and their embedded moonlets;
and the icy satellites. Detailed science objectives include:
At Saturn:
- Determine the vertical structure of the atmosphere (how its composition,
cloud properties, density, and temperature vary with height);
- Understand the horizontal motions of the atmosphere, its waves, eddies,
and storms -- where they are and how they form, grow, evolve, and dissipate;
- Determine the deep structure of the atmosphere, how it rotates, and how
it relates to the upper atmosphere;
- Study how the atmosphere varies with time, both on short (daily) and long
(seasonal) time scales;
- Investigate the relationship between the ionosphere, the magnetic field,
and the plasma environment; and
- Investigate the sources of lightning.
At Titan:
- Determine the vertical and horizontal structure of the atmosphere (how
its composition, cloud properties, density, and temperature vary with height
and location);
- In particular, observe the distribution of trace gases, complex organic
molecules, and investigate scenarios for their formation and evolution;
- Measure winds, study clouds, and search for lightning;
- Study how the atmosphere varies with time, both on short (daily) and long
(seasonal) time scales;
- Determine the physical state, topography, and composition of Titan’s
surface, and understand how it is evolving with time;
- Characterize the internal structure; and
- Investigate the upper atmosphere, its relationship to Saturn’s magnetic
field and the solar wind, and its role as a source of neutral and ionized
material in Saturn’s magnetosphere.
Rings:
- Map the composition and size distribution of ring material;
- Study the configuration of the rings and the dynamic processes responsible
for their structure;
- Investigate the relationships between the rings and the embedded moons;
- Search for new ring-embedded moons; and
- Study the interaction between the rings and Saturn’s magnetosphere,
ionosphere, and atmosphere.
Icy Satellites:
- Map their surface geology and composition and determine their geologic
histories;
- Define the physical processes responsible for the surface and subsurface
structure;
- Determine their bulk compositions and internal structure; and
- Investigate their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere and ring
system.
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