Titan Saturn System Mission
 |
|
| Names | TandEM |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA, ESA |
| Website | ESA Webpage on TandEM/TSSM |
| Mission duration | 2 years (proposed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass |
Orbiter:1,613 kg (3,556 lb) Montgolfière:600 kg (1,300 lb) Lander:190 kg (420 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | between 2020 and 2029 (proposed) |
| Rocket | Delta IV Heavy, Space Launch System Block IB, or Atlas V |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Titan Orbit |
| Semi-major axis | 1,500 km (930 mi) |
| Inclination | 85° |
| Period | ~4.8 h |
| Epoch | proposed |
| Titan orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | between 2029-2038 (proposed) |
| Titan atmospheric probe | |
| Spacecraft component | TSSM montgolfière |
| Titan lander | |
| Spacecraft component | Titan Mare Explorer or other TSSM lander proposal |
| Landing site | Ligeia Mare |
Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) was a joint NASA–ESA proposal for an exploration of Saturn and its moons Titan and Enceladus, where many complex phenomena were revealed by Cassini. With an estimated NASA cost of $2.5 billion (FY07), TSSM was proposed to launch in 2020, get gravity assists from Earth and Venus, and arrive at the Saturn system in 2029. The 4-year prime mission would include a two-year Saturn tour, a 2-month Titan aero-sampling phase, and a 20-month Titan orbit phase.
In 2009, a mission to Jupiter and its moons was given priority over Titan Saturn System Mission, although TSSM will continue to be studied for a later launch date.
The Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) was officially created in January 2009 by the merging of the ESA's Titan and Enceladus Mission (TandEM) with NASA's Titan Explorer (2007) study, although plans to combine both concepts date at least back to early 2008. TSSM was competing against the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) proposal for funding, and in February 2009 it was announced that NASA/ESA had given EJSM priority ahead of TSSM. TSSM will continue to be studied for a later launch date, probably sometime in the 2020s. Detailed assessment reports of the mission elements as well as a specific concept for a lake-landing module for Titan's lakes called Titan Mare Explorer (TiME) with the potential of becoming a part of the TSSM have been proposed in February and October 2009, respectively.
The TSSM may be revived and launched on the SLS super-heavy-lift rocket.
The TSSM mission consists of an orbiter and two Titan exploration probes: a hot air balloon ("Montgolfier" type) that will float in Titan's clouds, and a lander that will splash down on one of its methane seas.
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