To explore the depths of the hydrocarbon rich seas on the Saturn moon Titan, a conceptual design of an unmanned submarine concept was recently developed for a Phase I NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) study. Data from Cassini Huygens indicates that the Titan polar environment sustains stable seas of variable concentrations of ethane, methane, and nitrogen, with a surface temperature around 93K. To meet science exploration objectives, the submarine must operate autonomously, study atmosphere sea exchange, interact with the seabed at pressures up to 10 atm, traverse large distances with limited energy, hover at the surface and at any depth within the lake, and be capable of tolerating multiple different concentration levels of hydrocarbons. Therefore Titan presents many cryogenic design challenges. This paper presents the trade studies and preliminary design of the power, thermal, and ballast control subsystems for the Saturn Titan submarine.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken Mare


    Contributors:
    Hartwig J. (author) / Colozza A. (author) / Oleson S. (author) / Landis G. (author) / Schmitz P. (author) / Lorenz R. (author) / Paul M. (author) / Walsh J. (author)

    Publication date :

    2015


    Size :

    23 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken Mare

    Oleson, Steven R. / Lorenz, Ralph / Paul, Michael | AIAA | 2015


    Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken Mare (AIAA 2015-4445)

    Oleson, Steven R. / Lorenz, Ralph / Paul, Michael | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2015


    TiME - The Titan Mare Explorer

    Stofan, Ellen / Lorenz, Ralph / Lunine, Jonathan et al. | IEEE | 2013


    Titan Submarines: Options for Exploring The Depths of Titan's Seas

    Oleson, Steven R. / Lorenz, Ralph D. / Paul, Michael et al. | AIAA | 2018