The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This reflection spectrum of the surface was obtained after landing using an on-board lamp (red line). The surface is dark and brownish. The reflectivity shows absorption probably due to water ice. The slope of the reflectivity in the infrared is unlike any existing laboratory measurements. Spectra of two different organic tholins (black lines) are shown for comparison. These laboratory analogues of Titan’s photochemical end-products are consistent with the visible spectrum of the surface but cannot explain its infrared reflection spectrum.