This paper describes the design and component testing of an aerobot that would be capable of global in situ exploration of Saturn's moon, Titan, over a 6 to 12 month mission lifetime. The proposed aerobot is a propeller-driven, buoyant vehicle that resembles terrestrial airships. However, the extremely cold Titan environment requires the use of cryogenic materials of construction and careful thermal design for protection of temperature-sensitive payload elements. Multiple candidate balloon materials have been identified based on extensive laboratory testing at 77 K.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan


    Contributors:
    Hall, J. L. (author) / Kerzhanovich, V. V. (author) / Yavrouian, A. H. (author) / Jones, J. A. (author) / White, C. V. (author) / Dudik, B. A. (author) / Plett, G. A. (author) / Mennella, J. (author) / Elfes, A. (author)

    Conference:

    35th Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assembly ; 2004 ; Paris, France


    Publication date :

    2004-07-18


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan

    Hall, Jeffery L. / Kerzhanovich, V. V. / Yavrouian, A. H. et al. | NTRS | 2004


    An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan

    Hall, J.L. / Kerzhanovich, V.V. / Yavrouian, A.H. et al. | Elsevier | 2004


    An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan

    Hall, J.L. | Online Contents | 2006


    An aerobot for global in situ exploration of Titan

    Hall, J. L. / Kerzhanovich, V. V. / Yavrouian, A. H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Autonomous flight control for a Titan exploration aerobot

    Elfes, Alberto / Montgomery, James F. / Hall, Jeffery L. et al. | NTRS | 2005