ESA Science & Technology - Titan Fly-by - 7 February 2009

This encounter is set up with two manoeuvres: an apoapsis manoeuvre on 23 January, and a Titan approach manoeuvre, scheduled for 3 February. T-50 is the fourteenth in a series of outbound encounters and the sixth Titan encounter in Cassini's Equinox Mission. It occurs just under five days after Saturn closest approach.

Science Highlights

• Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS)
  Closest approach at T50 features an INMS prime observation to measure the boundary between the wake side and inner flank magnetospheric interaction region at mid southern latitudes.
• Cassini Radar (RADAR)
  The instrument rides along with INMS at closest approach. During the fly-by, the instrument will collect SAR of the mountain ranges southwest of Tsegihi that were suggested in VIMS data. Altimetry inbound and outbound completes the instrument's plans.
• Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS)
  On T50 CIRS focuses on mapping temperatures, trace hydrocarbons, nitriles and oxygen compounds in Titan's stratosphere. CIRS also continues to search for weak isotopes and new gas species.
• Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS)
  During T50, VIMS will observe Titan from a large distance and will conduct cloud mapping. It will ride along with other instruments to probe Titan's atmosphere at the limb.
• Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS)
  UVIS will obtain an image cube of Titan's atmosphere at EUV and FUV wavelengths by sweeping its slit across the disk. These cubes provide spectral and spatial information on nitrogen emissions, H emission and absorption, absorption by simple hydrocarbons, and the scattering properties of haze aerosols. This is one of many such cubes gathered over the course of the mission to provide latitude and seasonal coverage of Titan's middle atmosphere and stratosphere.
• Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS)
  ISS will monitor clouds (no illuminated prime observations).
• Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument (MIMI)
  MIMI will measure energetic ion and electron energy input to Titan's atmosphere.
• Dual Technique Magnetometer (MAG)
  T50 is an upstream flank-in fly-by with a minimum altitude of < 1000 kilometres. The geometry of this fly-by is suitable to study the magnetic pileup region across the nightside hemisphere. T50 also takes place in Saturn's near-noon sector (10.5 hours SLT), where Titan could be found in the magnetosheath if the solar wind pressure is high.
• Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS)
  RPWS will measure thermal plasmas in Titan's ionosphere and surrounding environment; search for lightning in Titan's atmosphere; and investigate the interaction of Titan with Saturn's magnetosphere.

Table of Events

9 January 2009

4 February 2009

5 February 2009

6 February 2009

7 February 2009

8 February 2009