Explorer of Enceladus and Titan (E2T) is a space mission concept that would investigate the evolution and
habitability of the Saturnian satellites
Enceladus and
Titan and is proposed by the
European Space Agency in collaboration with
NASA.[2]
The proposed mission would address key scientific questions regarding extraterrestrial habitability, abiotic/prebiotic chemistry and
emergence of life, which are among the highest priorities of ESA's
Cosmic Vision program.
Overview
The Explorer of Enceladus and Titan (E2T) orbiter was first proposed in 2017 as a medium-class mission led by the
European Space Agency in collaboration with
NASA in response to ESA's M5
Cosmic Vision programme.[3]
Both Enceladus and Titan harbour subsurface oceans that are prime environments in which to investigate the conditions for the
emergence of life and the
habitability potential of ocean worlds as well as the origin and evolution of unique complex planetary systems.[2]
Investigate the origin and evolution of volatile-rich icy worlds by examining both Enceladus and Titan
Investigate the
habitability and potential for
life in ocean worlds on both Enceladus and Titan
Investigate Titan as an Earth-like world with an evolving climate and landscape.
These goals would be accomplished by measuring the nature, abundance and
isotopic properties of solid- and vapor-phase species in Enceladus' plume and Titan's upper atmosphere.
Conceptual payload
The payload would provide in-situ sampling, high-resolution imaging and radio science measurements from multiple flybys of Enceladus and Titan using a
solar-electric powered spacecraft in orbit around
Saturn. The two main instruments proposed are the Ion and Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer (INMS) and the
Enceladus Icy Jet Analyzer (ENIJA); these high resolution
mass spectrometers would provide the data needed to discern the subtle details of the aqueous environment of Enceladus from plume sampling and of the complex pre-biotic chemistry occurring in Titan's atmosphere.[2]
The Titan Imaging and Geology, Enceladus Reconnaissance (TIGER) mid-wave
infrared camera would map thermal emission from the plumes and
Enceladus' tiger stripes at meter scales and investigate Titan's geomorphology at 50–100 m resolution.[4]
The Radio Science Experiment (RSE) measurements would provide constraints on the ice shell structure and the properties of the internal oceans of Enceladus and Titan.[2]
Propulsion
The spacecraft concept calls for using an
ion drive propulsion, proven to be extremely efficient and reliable. An ion thruster —or ion drive— is a form of
electric propulsion that creates
thrust by accelerating
ions with
electricity. The required electricity is generated by
solar panels mounted on the spacecraft.
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abMitri, Giuseppe; Tobie, Gabriel; Postberg, Frank; Soderblom, Jason M.; Wurz, Peter; Barnes, Jason W.; Berga, Marco; Coustenis, Athena; D'Ottavio, Andrea; Hayes, Alexander G.; Hayne, Paul O.; Lebreton, Jean-Pierre; Lorenz, Ralph D.; Martelli, Andrea; Petropoulos, Anastassios E.; Yen, Chen-wan L.; Reh, Kim R.; Sotin, Christophe; Srama, Ralf; Tortora, Paolo (June 2017).
Poster 14: Explorer of Enceladus and Titan (E2T). Titan Aeronomy and Climate. France:
NASA.
Bibcode:
2016tac..confE..26M. Archived from
the original on 2021-08-29. Retrieved 2017-09-16.