Titan and exobiological aspects of the Cassini-Huygens mission.
Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, has a dense N2-CH4 atmosphere rich in organic compounds, both in gas and in aerosol phases. Its surface is probably covered by oceans of liquid methane-ethane mixtures, with many dissolved organics. This quasi planet appears as a natural laboratory to study chemical evolution toward complex organic systems in a planetary environment over a long time scale. With the Cassini-Huygens mission NASA and ESA will jointly send an orbiter (Cassini) around Saturn and a probe (Huygens) in the atmosphere of Titan. This mission, currently planned to be launched in 1996-1997 for a Saturn - Titan arrival in 2004, offers a unique opportunity to study in detail extra-terrestrial organic processes. Consequently, it has important implications in the field of exobiology and the origins of life.
Raulin
F
F
Equipe Physico-Chimie Organique Spatiale, Universite Paris Val de Marne, France.
Frere
C
C
Paillous
P
P
De Vanssay
E
E
Do
L
L
Khlifi
M
M
D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D018559:Exobiology; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D008697:Methane; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009584:Nitrogen; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D012107:Research Design; D018539:Saturn; D013026:Space Flight / Q000639:trends; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000336:Aerosols; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane