Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
1. Introduction
The brilliant scientific and engineering successes of the NASA Cassini
Orbiter and of the near picture-perfect atmospheric descent of the ESA
Huygens Probe to Titan have now given us new optimism on the next step
toward studying of the Saturnian system in near future (Fig. 1). In doing
so, we must make several assumptions, based partly on past experience and
partly on reasonable projection.
•
A post-Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn — realistically speaking —
probably would not take place until 20 years from now (i.e., 2025). During
this time interval, the economy and technology of Asia as a whole will
likely move from stride to stride with the possibility of matching those of
Europe and USA. We must therefore, anticipate the participation of the
space organizations in Asia in ambitious space projects with long-lead
times.
•
In addition to names of eminent scientists like Galileo, Cassini, and Bepi-
Colombo, flagship missions at that time would probably carry the names
of great cities of the world like Xian, Seoul, Miami, Delhi, Taipei, Rome,
Macao, and Sapporo.
We therefore venture to call the present mission concept Saturn Atmo-
spheric Probe and Phoebe Rover (SAPPORO) project.
Fig. 1. The very successful Cassini-Huygens mission of NASA and ESA will path the
way for the advanced investigations of (a) the Saturnian atmosphere and ring systems
and (b) Titan and the icy satellites, by the next generation of planetary scientists in the
world-wide community.
Courtesy
: Jet Propulsion, NASA, and Space Science Institute.
