The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrumentation on board the Cassini orbiter has identified large hydrocarbon liquid deposits on the surface of Titan [e.g. 1], distributed mainly around its northern polar regions. Recent studies [2] suggest that the rims of these structures display seasonal changes, where the lakes appear to be shrinking. However, the precise depth, evolution and composition of these lake-like features are still unknown. The physical and chemical characteristics of the Titan lakes will be one of the major objectives of a future space mission to Titan [e.g. 3, 4]. We propose here the application of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) as part of a science surface properties package aboard a future Lake Lander. MEMS devices offer a low cost and reduced size of instrumentation in order to accomplish the 3-D sounding of the liquid deposit and detect the presence of any biomarkers in a broader area.


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    Title :

    Sounding the interior of Titan's lakes by using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2011-09-01


    Size :

    128516 byte




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






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