Combining descent module and heat shield

Huygens' descent module (DM) intense heat of atmospheric entry. On the upper surface can be seen the two redundant antennas (black) that will transmit scientific data back to the Cassini orbiter travelling past Titan at almost 6 km/s at a distance of 75000 - 25000 km during the 2-2 1/2 hr of the descent.

The three attachment points for the parachute bridles are located around the periphery; from them, the Kevlar bridles lead to the rectangular box where both the main 'chute and the smaller stabiliser are stored during the 7 year cruise.

The central, aluminium-coloured canister contains the explosive mortar that will initiate the parachute descent at the end of the of the entry phase by firing a small deployment chute through a membrane, in the centre of the Back Cover, which is itself then detached by the parachute's drag.

From launch until Titan descent, the back cover and front shield cocoon the DM. The gold-coloured multi-layer insulation blankets will provide benign thermal conditions inside, both at Venus (0.6 AU) and Saturn (9 AU).