CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF A MODIFIED XBT TELEMETRY SYSTEM FOR USE IN THE OCEANS OF TITAN

Abstract

Current theories concerning the surface of Titan postulate the existence of large, possibly oceanic, bodies of liquid ethane/ammonia plus various other chemicals. ESA's Huygens probe is designed to gather oceanographic data on Titan. If the postulated oceans or lakes do exist, follow up missions of an oceanographic nature will be planned. This paper provides a concept for a modified XBT (eXpendable Bathymetric Thermograph) probe design that will provide more data than just temperature as a function of depth. By judicious use of acoustic telemetering links, data on the sound speed profile and constituents of the ocean can be obtained. The exo-oceanographic data collected will have important ramifications for oceanographic studies on Earth.