20 Apr 2024 Dragonfly Mission
THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF ”Dragonfly Mission”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “Science & Technology” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.
Why in the news?
Recently, NASA confirmed the Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s organic compound-rich moon Titan. The mission has a budget of $3.35 billion and a launch date of July 2028.
NASA initially selected Dragonfly in 2019, beating out projects like the Titan Saturn System Mission, which called for using an inflatable balloon to explore the moon. Dragonfly didn’t have an easy path to final approval, though. NASA experienced a severe budget crunch from 2020 through 2022 due to the pandemic. However, to compensate for this delay, NASA will provide extra funding for a heavy-lift launch vehicle to reduce the time spent cruising to the Saturnian moon.
About the Dragonfly Mission:
-
- Dragonfly mission is a NASA mission to Saturn’s moon Titan.
- Scheduled to launch in July 2028 and arrive in 2034.
- The drone should arrive on Titan in 2034 to begin a three-year mission.
- It will be the first mission to fly a rotorcraft on another planet and fly its entire scientific payload through a thick atmosphere like Titan.
- Dragonfly’s mission is to search for evidence of past, present, or future life on Titan.
Dragonfly is a quadcopter drone with a nominal mass of 400 to 450 kg, roughly the size of the largest Mars rovers. It flies using eight rotors attached in four pairs to outriggers mounted on the side of the body. The craft can fly at about ten m/s and reach altitudes of 4000 m. During the planned two-year mission, Dragonfly will cover several hundred kilometres.
The hazy atmosphere on Titan will make using solar power difficult so that the rover will use a radioisotope power system like the Curiosity rover on Mars. All flights, data transmission, and most science operations will happen during the day, so the rover will have much time to recharge on Titan at night.
What is Titan?
Titan is Saturn’s largest moon and the second-largest moon in the entire solar system, after Ganymede, which orbits Jupiter. Titan’s dense and calm atmosphere and low gravity make flying an ideal way to explore its various parts. It’s known for its dense atmosphere, primarily composed of nitrogen, and its surface features, including lakes and rivers of liquid methane and ethane.
Titan is the only other place in the solar system besides Earth where stable bodies of liquid exist on the surface, and due to its extremely cold temperatures (around -180°C or -290°F), these liquids are not water but hydrocarbons like methane and ethane.
It also supports an Earth-like hydrological cycle with methane clouds, rain and liquid flowing across the surface. There is also a lot of organic material accessible on Titan’s surface.
Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 20th April 2024
Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements:
- Titan is the largest moon of Saturn.
- Dragonfly mission is the mission of NASA to explore the Titan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. Only
B. Only
C. Both 1 and
D. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: C
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Critically examine researchers’ challenges when sending probes to study other planets. How do gravitational waves help scientists learn about collisions between celestial bodies in other solar systems?
I have the experience to guide and write the content for the UPSC, and PCS Aspirants in preparing for the Civil Service Exam. Currently Working as a content developer in Yojna IAS.
No Comments