Menu
14/01/2005
European joy as Huygens probe lands on Titan
The European-built Huygens probe has successfully landed on Titan, penetrating the thick, orange-coloured clouds that have until now prevented scientists observing details of the moon's surface.
The first scientific data to reach Earth arrived at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany at around 16:30 GMT today.
Descending by parachute over a period of two-and-a-half hours, Huygens has gathered invaluable atmospheric readings and taken some 750 images of Saturn's largest and most mysterious moon along the way.
“Titan was always the target in the Saturn system where the need for ‘ground truth’ from a probe was critical. It is a fascinating world and we are now eagerly awaiting the scientific results,” said Professor David Southwood, Director of ESA’s scientific programme.
Huygens is mankind’s first successful attempt to deliver a probe onto to a target so far out in the solar system, and is being hailed a great achievement for Europe and its US partners in this ambitious international endeavour.
The probe started its descent through Titan’s hazy cloud layers from an altitude of about 1270 kilometres at around 10:15 GMT, and during the next three minutes Huygens had to decelerate from 18,000 to 1400 kilometres per hour.
A sequence of parachutes then slowed down the probe to less than 300kph. At a height of about 160 kilometres the probe’s scientific instruments were exposed to Titan’s atmosphere, and at about 120 kilometres the main parachute was replaced by a smaller one to complete the descent, with touchdown at around 12:34 GMT.
The earliest indication that the mission was a success came this morning when the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) of the National Radio-astronomy Observatory in West Virginia, a part of the global network of radio telescopes involved in tracking the probe, detected a 'carrier' signal to NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn. The presence of the carrier signal indicated that Huygens had survived the trip intact and had begun to transmit.
Cassini then began to relay the signal back to Earth at around 15:30 GMT.
Scientists are as yet uncertain what kind of surface the probe encountered when it 'landed', but speculate a richly diverse topography. A splash down in an ocean would probably mean better data from Huygens, as even if the probe lasted only a few minutes before sinking it would have at least stayed in an upright position, essential for sending the data back to Cassini and to the scientists on Earth. Moreover, some of Huygens's instruments are better prepared to analyse liquids.
One of the main reasons of sending Huygens to Titan is that its methane-rich nitrogen atmosphere and its surface may contain many chemicals of the kind that existed on a young Earth.
Huygen's journey began on Christmas Day 2004 when Cassini, which spent seven years travelling to the ringed planet, deployed the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg probe, sending the craft on its 22-day trip to Titan.
(GB)
The first scientific data to reach Earth arrived at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany at around 16:30 GMT today.
Descending by parachute over a period of two-and-a-half hours, Huygens has gathered invaluable atmospheric readings and taken some 750 images of Saturn's largest and most mysterious moon along the way.
“Titan was always the target in the Saturn system where the need for ‘ground truth’ from a probe was critical. It is a fascinating world and we are now eagerly awaiting the scientific results,” said Professor David Southwood, Director of ESA’s scientific programme.
Huygens is mankind’s first successful attempt to deliver a probe onto to a target so far out in the solar system, and is being hailed a great achievement for Europe and its US partners in this ambitious international endeavour.
The probe started its descent through Titan’s hazy cloud layers from an altitude of about 1270 kilometres at around 10:15 GMT, and during the next three minutes Huygens had to decelerate from 18,000 to 1400 kilometres per hour.
A sequence of parachutes then slowed down the probe to less than 300kph. At a height of about 160 kilometres the probe’s scientific instruments were exposed to Titan’s atmosphere, and at about 120 kilometres the main parachute was replaced by a smaller one to complete the descent, with touchdown at around 12:34 GMT.
The earliest indication that the mission was a success came this morning when the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) of the National Radio-astronomy Observatory in West Virginia, a part of the global network of radio telescopes involved in tracking the probe, detected a 'carrier' signal to NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn. The presence of the carrier signal indicated that Huygens had survived the trip intact and had begun to transmit.
Cassini then began to relay the signal back to Earth at around 15:30 GMT.
Scientists are as yet uncertain what kind of surface the probe encountered when it 'landed', but speculate a richly diverse topography. A splash down in an ocean would probably mean better data from Huygens, as even if the probe lasted only a few minutes before sinking it would have at least stayed in an upright position, essential for sending the data back to Cassini and to the scientists on Earth. Moreover, some of Huygens's instruments are better prepared to analyse liquids.
One of the main reasons of sending Huygens to Titan is that its methane-rich nitrogen atmosphere and its surface may contain many chemicals of the kind that existed on a young Earth.
Huygen's journey began on Christmas Day 2004 when Cassini, which spent seven years travelling to the ringed planet, deployed the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg probe, sending the craft on its 22-day trip to Titan.
(GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2005
European space probe closes for encounter with Titan
On Christmas Day 2004 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn, flawlessly released the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg Huygens probe, sending the craft on a 22-day trip towards Titan, the ringed planet's largest moon.
European space probe closes for encounter with Titan
On Christmas Day 2004 NASA's Cassini spacecraft, currently in orbit above Saturn, flawlessly released the European Space Agency's 2.7m-wide, 319kg Huygens probe, sending the craft on a 22-day trip towards Titan, the ringed planet's largest moon.
04 June 2004
Saturn orbiter mission makes final approach
The international Cassini-Huygens spacecraft is on final approach to Saturn in a multi-agency mission that includes British involvement that will see the probe commence a four-year tour of Saturn, its rings and moons. After a 2.2 billion-mile journey lasting seven years, the 5.
Saturn orbiter mission makes final approach
The international Cassini-Huygens spacecraft is on final approach to Saturn in a multi-agency mission that includes British involvement that will see the probe commence a four-year tour of Saturn, its rings and moons. After a 2.2 billion-mile journey lasting seven years, the 5.
19 May 2003
UK's key role in ESA Mars mission hailed
UK industry and scientific know-how is playing a key role in the search for life on the red planet. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today said that UK engineering and scientific expertise was essential to Europe's historic mission to find life on Mars.
UK's key role in ESA Mars mission hailed
UK industry and scientific know-how is playing a key role in the search for life on the red planet. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today said that UK engineering and scientific expertise was essential to Europe's historic mission to find life on Mars.
11 February 2013
Man Arrested In Toddler Death Probe
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a three-year-old girl. The toddler was brought to hospital on Friday but died in the early hours of Saturday morning. A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A 30-year-old man from Beck Road, Shiregreen, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and inquiries are continuing.
Man Arrested In Toddler Death Probe
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a three-year-old girl. The toddler was brought to hospital on Friday but died in the early hours of Saturday morning. A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A 30-year-old man from Beck Road, Shiregreen, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and inquiries are continuing.
05 May 2011
Medical Body Probe Tomlinson Pathologist
The pathologist who determined Ian Tomlinson's death was a result of natural causes is being investigated. Dr Freddy Patel recorded that Mr Tomlinson died as a result of a heart attack after the G20 protest in 2009.
Medical Body Probe Tomlinson Pathologist
The pathologist who determined Ian Tomlinson's death was a result of natural causes is being investigated. Dr Freddy Patel recorded that Mr Tomlinson died as a result of a heart attack after the G20 protest in 2009.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
