Huygens probe at Titan. Artwork depicting the Huygens probe after landing on the surface of Titan,the largest satellite of Saturn. The Huygens probe was designed to measure the atmosphere,although it might survive the high- speed landing. Accelerometer data from the impact would give an indication of the state of the surface (rock,ice,slush,etc.). Huygens is part of the Cassini spacecraft,due for launch in 1997. Using several fly-bys of Venus,Earth and Jupiter,Cassini will arrive at Saturn in June 2004. After deploying Huygens,the main body of the spacecraft will enter a complex orbit pattern around Saturn |