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Titan: A Distant But Enticing Destination for Human Visitors

2009; Aerospace Medical Association; Volume: 80; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3357/asem.2596.2009

1943-4448

Julian Nott,

Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Until recently, very little was known about Saturn's largest satellite, Titan. But that has changed dramatically since the Cassini spacecraft started orbiting in the Saturn system in 2004. Larger than Mercury and with a dense atmosphere, Titan has many of the characteristics of a planet. Indeed, many scientists now see it as the most interesting place in the Solar System for robotic exploration, with many unique features and even the possibility of exotic forms of life. This paper points out that Titan is also a potential destination for humans. With its predominantly nitrogen atmosphere, moderate gravity, and available water and oxygen, it also appears that, once it becomes possible to travel there, it will prove to be much more hospitable for human visitors than any other destination in the Solar System.