# Titan Submarine

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Proposed NASA submarine to land on Titan

Not to be confused with [Titan (submersible)](/source/Titan_(submersible)).

Titan Submarine Artist's depiction of the submarine Mission type Reconnaissance and submarine Operator NASA Spacecraft properties Dry mass 500 kg[1] Dimensions 20 by 6.5 ft[1] Start of mission Launch date 2030s-2040s End of mission Landing date 2040-2045 Landing site Kraken Mare or Ligeia Mare

[Synthetic aperture radar](/source/Synthetic_aperture_radar) mosaic of [Titan](/source/Titan_(moon))'s north polar region showing Titans largest lakes [Kraken Mare](/source/Kraken_Mare), [Ligeia Mare](/source/Ligeia_Mare), and [Punga Mare](/source/Punga_Mare)

**Titan Submarine** is a proposed unmanned NASA [submarine](/source/Submarine) probe that will visit [Saturn](/source/Saturn)'s largest [moon](/source/Moons_of_Saturn) [Titan](/source/Titan_(moon)), and will explore either [Kraken Mare](/source/Kraken_Mare) or [Ligeia Mare](/source/Ligeia_Mare), two of Titan's [lakes](/source/Lakes_of_Titan). The concept was proposed by Steven Oleson, [Ralph Lorenz](/source/Ralph_Lorenz), and Micheal Paul, technical experts at the [Glenn Research Center](/source/Glenn_Research_Center) in Ohio.[1]

## History

In early 2005, studies conducted by the [Cassini-Huygens](/source/Cassini%E2%80%93Huygens) probe revealed [organic compounds](/source/Organic_compound) in the [atmosphere of Titan](/source/Atmosphere_of_Titan), raising the possibility of [life on Titan](/source/Life_on_Titan).[2][3] During its 2-hour descent, [Huygens](/source/Huygens_(spacecraft)) provided data about Titan's atmosphere, with information suggesting a functioning [climate system](/source/Climate_system), [water cycle](/source/Water_cycle), and the presence of [organic matter](/source/Organic_matter) and molecules.[4]

On July 22, 2006, the Cassini-Huygens probe conducted a flyby of Titan, passing at a distance of 148,000 km.[5] The flyby revealed methane lakes on the surface of Titan, providing evidence of the existence of liquid water, a hypothesis first suggested by a [Hubble Space Telescope](/source/Hubble_Space_Telescope) observation of Titan in 1995.[6]

Following these discoveries, the [Institute for Advanced Concepts](/source/NASA_Institute_for_Advanced_Concepts) proposed the [Titan Mare Explorer](/source/Titan_Mare_Explorer). However, the proposal was superseded in a 2012 vote by the [InSight](/source/InSight) lander, which was tasked with studying the core of Mars.[7] However, both the Titan Mare Explorer and the Titan Submarine projects remain active under the auspices of NIAC.

The Titan Submarine initiated Phase I in 2014 and transitioned to Phase II, dubbed "Titan Turtle", in November 2020. The Titan Submarine is still under development by NIAC.[8]

## Overview

The submarine will be launched aboard an [Atlas V](/source/Atlas_V) rocket, accompanied by a [Boeing X-37](/source/Boeing_X-37), which is designed to withstand the [climate of Titan](/source/Climate_of_Titan).[9]

The Titan Submarine will be equipped with [radioisotope rockets](/source/Radioisotope_rocket), a type of [thermal rocket](/source/Thermal_rocket) that uses [decaying radioactive](/source/Radioactive_decay) elements, to propel the submarine for longer durations on Titan while conserving power on the probe. Radioisotope rockets utilize [isotopes](/source/Isotope) such as [polonium-210](/source/Polonium-210) or [plutonium-238](/source/Plutonium-238), each of which have a [half-life](/source/Half-life) of approximately 138 days or 80 years respectively (plutonium-238 provides a stable output over a much longer span whereas polonium-210 provides 250 times more thermal energy but for a far shorter lifespan).[1][10] It will also be equipped with a sampler to collect samples of lakebed minerals and liquid methane and ethane hydrocarbons from the water on Titan. Additionally, a camera will be attached to the front of the vessel.[1]

## Scientific goals

Model of the Titan Submarine

The submarine will aid scientists in refining models and simulations of undersea activity on Titan. It will contribute to the detection of elemental and chemical properties of the water, as well as undersea rocks and minerals. Additionally, it may help identify [undersea seismic activity](/source/Submarine_earthquake) on Titan. The submarine will also collect data on the depth and temperature of specific locations within lakes.[8]

Additionally, theories propose the existence of a global [subsurface ocean](/source/Subsurface_ocean) beneath Titan's surface. The mission aims to enhance understanding of subsurface oceans and explain the dramatic shifts in Titan's surface features. It may also provide insights into the impact of subsurface oceans on the geology beneath and above Titan's seas.[11]

During certain parts of the mission, the submarine will partially emerge from the water to study the weather, tides, coastlines, and the unsolved observation surrounding disappearing islands or icebergs on Titan.[12]

## Instruments

### Instrument list

- Liquid samplers

- Surface imager

- Depth sounder

- Weather sounder

- [Side-scan sonar](/source/Side-scan_sonar) arrays[1]

#### Interior instruments

- Command and data handling

- Communications

- Altitude determination and control[8]

#### Proposed instruments

- Seafloor sample analyzer

- Ventral imager[1]

#### Energy

The submarine will be equipped with 840 W of:

- [Isotope power systems](/source/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generator)

- [Stirling radioisotope generator](/source/Stirling_radioisotope_generator)

- 2 [eight-GPHS SRG](/source/Stirling_radioisotope_generator) (chosen as the baseline power system proving 900 W of DC power)[13][14]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-MikeWall2020_1-6) Wall, Mike (27 August 2020). ["Submarine could explore seas of huge Saturn moon Titan"](https://www.space.com/saturn-moon-titan-submarine-concept-mission.html#). *[Space.com](/source/Space.com)*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Alternative Fuels Data Center: Fuel Properties Comparison"](https://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fuel_properties.php).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Vandel, Omri (29 November 2007). ["All the answers to the question is there life in space?"](https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3465434,00.html). *Ynet*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Moskowitz, Clara (25 June 2009). ["Exotic Life Could Sprout From Titan Chemistry"](https://www.space.com/6886-exotic-life-sprout-titan-chemistry.html). *[Space.com](/source/Space.com)*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Outbound View"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia08246-outbound-view). *[Jet Propulsion Laboratory](/source/Jet_Propulsion_Laboratory)*. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Hubble Observes Surface of Titan"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia01465-hubble-observes-surface-of-titan). *[Jet Propulsion Laboratory](/source/Jet_Propulsion_Laboratory)*. 26 September 1998. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Vastag, Brian (August 20, 2012). ["NASA will send robot drill to Mars in 2016"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/nasa-will-send-robot-drill-to-mars-in-2016/2012/08/20/43bf1980-eaef-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html). *Washington Post*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LouraHall2014_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LouraHall2014_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LouraHall2014_8-2) Hall, Loura (14 June 2014). ["Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken"](https://www.nasa.gov/general/titan-submarine-exploring-the-depths-of-kraken/). *[Nasa.gov](/source/Nasa.gov)*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["תוכנית נאס"א: לשגר צוללת לחלל עד 2040"](https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4626313,00.html#). *ynet.co.il*. Ynet. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** LeMoyne, R. (September 2006). [*Fundamental Analysis of Radioisotope Propulsion*](http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2006-7272). Space 2006 Forum. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2514/6.2006-7272](https://doi.org/10.2514%2F6.2006-7272). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-62410-049-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-62410-049-9). AIAA 2006-7272.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Ocean may exist beneath Titan's crust"](https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cassini-Huygens/Ocean_may_exist_beneath_Titan_s_crust). [European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency). 25 March 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Kahan, Raphael; Elam, Harel (16 February 2015). ["ים של כוכבים: נאס"א שולחת צוללת לטיטאן"](https://www.calcalist.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3652558,00.html). *[Calcalist](/source/Calcalist)* (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hartwig, J. W.; Colozza, A.; Lorenz, R. D.; Oleson, S.; Landis, G.; Schmitz, P.; Paul, M.; Walsh, J. (March 2016). ["Exploring the depths of Kraken Mare – Power, thermal analysis, and ballast control for the Saturn Titan submarine"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011227515001162). *Cryogenics*. 2015 Space Cryogenics Workshop, June 24–26, 2015, Phoenix, AZ Hosted by NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. **74**: 31–46. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016Cryo...74...31H](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016Cryo...74...31H). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cryogenics.2015.09.009](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cryogenics.2015.09.009). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0011-2275](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0011-2275).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** David, Leonard (18 February 2015). ["NASA Space Submarine Could Explore Titan's Methane Seas"](https://www.space.com/28589-titan-submarine-robotic-saturn-ship.html). *[Space.com](/source/Space.com)*. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

## Further information

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnKxbdpLP5E) gives an illustration on how the variety of instruments on board the submarine work.

v t e Titan Atmosphere Climate Life Lakes and seas Seas Kraken Mare Ligeia Mare Punga Mare Lakes Abaya Lacus Albano Lacus Bolsena Lacus Feia Lacus Hammar Lacus Jingpo Lacus Kivu Lacus Koitere Lacus Ladoga Lacus Mackay Lacus Müggel Lacus Neagh Lacus Ontario Lacus Sionascaig Lacus Sotonera Lacus Rivers Elivagar Flumina Saraswati Flumen Vid Flumina Dry lakes Eyre Lacuna Ngami Lacuna Woytchugga Lacuna Features Adiri Arrakis Planitia Dilmun Doom Mons Erebor Mons Ganesa Macula Guabonito Irensaga Montes Mayda Insula Menrva Mezzoramia Mindolluin Montes Misty Montes Mithrim Montes Perkunas Virgae Selk Shangri-La Shikoku Facula Sinlap Sotra Patera Taniquetil Montes Tsegihi Tui Regio Xanadu Exploration Past Pioneer program Pioneer 11 Voyager program Voyager 1 Voyager 2 Cassini–Huygens Huygens Planned and proposed Dragonfly (2028) AVIATR Explorer of Enceladus and Titan Journey to Enceladus and Titan TALISE Titan Mare Explorer Titan Submarine Titan Saturn System Mission Titan Winged Aerobot Oceanus Related Exploration of Titan Colonization of Titan In fiction In mythology

v t e Spacecraft missions to Saturn Past Flybys Pioneer 11 Voyager 1 Voyager 2 Orbiters Cassini–Huygens timeline retirement Landers Huygens (on Titan) Planned Dragonfly (to Titan, 2028) Proposed Saturn, rings Kronos Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe SPRITE Titan Saturn System Mission Enceladus Enceladus Orbilander L4 Breakthrough Enceladus mission Enceladus Life Finder Enceladus Life Signatures and Habitability Enceladus Explorer Life Investigation For Enceladus Titan AVIATR Oceanus TALISE Titan Mare Explorer Titan Submarine Several moons Explorer of Enceladus and Titan Journey to Enceladus and Titan There are no ongoing missions to Saturn

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Titan Submarine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_Submarine) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_Submarine?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.