NASA is going to Titan: Space agency reveals Dragonfly mission to explore the surface of Saturn’s largest moon in search of clues on the origins of life in our solar system
- NASA announced Dragonfly as the next mission in its New Frontiers program
- It’s set to launch in 2026 and arriving to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, in 2034
NASA has announced a plan to explore the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.
The space agency made the announcement in a media teleconference Thursday afternoon, detailing its vision of a robotic rotorcraft dubbed Dragonfly that will collect samples and measure soil composition in search for signs of habitability.
The enormous, icy moon is said to be the most Earth-like world in the solar system, and previous findings by the Cassini mission suggest it holds some of the primitive ingredients necessary for the emergence of life.
Dragonfly will launch in 2026 as part of NASA’s New Frontiers program, and is expected to arrive at Titan in 2034.
NASA has announced a plan to explore the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The space agency made the announcement in a media teleconference Thursday afternoon
‘Dragonfly is a bold, game-changing way to explore the solar system,’ said APL Director Ralph Semmel.
‘This mission is a visionary combination of creativity and technical risk-taking that will help us unravel some of the most critical mysteries of the universe — including, possibly, the keys to our origins.
‘We’re honored that NASA has entrusted APL and our partners with this great opportunity and responsibility.’