Huygens Probe entry into Titan's atmosphere

Cassini/Huygens is a NASA/ESA mission to the Saturnian system. The spacecraft consists of the NASA Saturn Orbiter and the detachable ESA Huygens Probe designed to explore the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. After going into orbit around Saturn in July 2004, the Cassini spacecraft will release the Huygens Probe in November 2004 for entry and descent through the atmosphere of Titan. The Probe enters the upper layers of the atmosphere of Titan at 6 km/s. The speed is reduced to about 400 m/s in less than 2 minutes, thanks to the friction of the heat shield with the atmospheric gas. The temperature of the gas in the shock wave in front of the heat shield can reach 12000degC, while the heat shield can reach 1880degC. [Image Date: 01-06-97] [97.06.012-001]