Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe

The concept study was done to support the NASA 2010 Planetary Science Decadal Survey[1][2][3] Due to the orbits and relative positions of Saturn and Earth, launch was proposed for 30 August 2027 for a 22 June 2034 arrival.

The probe would determine the structure of the atmosphere as well as noble gas abundances and isotopic ratios of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.

An event timer on the probe would initiate activities, while the carrier–relay spacecraft would power up its radio receiver and turn to point its probe-relay antenna to the entry site.

At 1 bar of pressure, the parachute would be released and the descent module would continue free-falling through the atmosphere (possibly with stabilization from another drogue parachute) to the nominal end of mission, 55 minutes after entry and 250 km deep.

The carrier–relay spacecraft would fly by Saturn at a distance of approximately 100 Mm and it would continue on a solar escape trajectory.