NASA's Cassini spacecraft will make its final close flyby of Saturn's moon Titan this Saturday. During this close flyby, Cassini will study seas of liquid hydrocarbons that spread across Titan's polar region, in best ever resolution. During the encounter, Cassini will pass 979 kilometers above Titan's surface at a speed of about 21 000 kilometers/hour.
Image: NASA/JPL
The last, 127th ecounter is also a closest one. To set precise target, Cassini will use its thrusters to accurately aim. This manoeuver will also transfer Cassini to its final 22 orbits around Saturn before it burns in the giant's atmosphere on Sept., 15.
Cassini will study changes in Titan's seas and lakes system, and attempt for the first and last time to obtain data about the depth and composition of smaller lakes.
Another target for the last flyby - studying of "magical island". This is mysterious feature in Ligeia Mare, which appears, disappears and changes form each flyby. Cassini will prove late hypohesis that this island may be changed by giant gas bubbles, lifting from the deep.
Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
The last discoveries about life possibility in another Saturn's moon, Enceladus, may force NASA to consider next mission to Saturn system. In this case, Titan submarine could dive in Kraken Mare.
Its design was developed for the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program, by NASA Glenn's COMPASS Team, and technologists and scientists from the Applied Physics Lab and submarine designers from the Applied Research Lab.
