The Huygens spacecraft, built by the European Space Agency, carries a descent imager called the Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR). Huygens is being carried to Saturn's system via the Cassini orbiter launched in October 1997. DISR will acquire spectral data in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectral bands and black and white and color pictures during its 2.25 hour descent toward the surface of Titan in December 2004. The probe is not specifically designed to survive the landing, but many investigators suspect that it will survive and be able to transmit additional pictures from the surface of this frosty, cloud-covered moon.

For more information about Cassini, Huygens, and DISR, see:

• Cassini/Saturn Home Page

• Huygens Home Page

• Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer Home Page

Artwork Credit: European Space Agency and NASA/JPL