Prometheus 2006
Mission Prometheus was the Space Simulation's mission to Titan, and was scheduled for take-off on February 28th, 2006 and splashdown return March 4th, 2006.
Mission Purpose
The primary purpose of this mission will be to test if life exists, could exist, or has existed on Titan. This will be carried out by first testing for the presence of various organic compounds needed for life, and/or exclusively produced as a byproduct of life (see "proposed experiments"), and ultimately, to test for life on Titan.
Proposed Experiments
- Main article: Mission Prometheus Experiments
Another experiment that was proposed (although the astronauts planned to bypass it with a granola bar cartel) is to have the astronauts become self-sufficient by growing their own duck weed from their grey water, and living off that for the last half of the mission.
Data on Titan
- Main article: Titan
Titan is one of the moons orbiting Saturn. It is fairly large for a moon, and is comparable in size to some of the inner terrestrial planets. it's atmosphere is composed mostly of N2 gas. What really interests the scientists, and our astronauts is Titan's mantle. It is widely accepted that Titan has a mantle not of molten rock, but of liquid water - one of the most vital elements needed for life.
Astronauts
The Astronauts for this mission were:
Stephen Smith, Habitat Commander
Johnathan Scothorn pilot
Steven Mair pilot
Stefan Deyoung electrician
Brian Foo Payload Specialist
Nevin Hotson Able Crewman
Mission Results
We have life!
The experiments for the mission have been concluded, and alhough a formal report is still being generated, the payload specialist has been able to draw many conclusions about the prospects of life on Titan. We have been able to confirm the presence of nitrates, ammoniates, carbohydrates (sugars) and lipids (fats) on the surface of Titan. The presence of these complex organic molecules points towards the existance of life. Further evidence was obtained when sealed samples of liquid from Titan fermented and produced copious ammounts of alcohol. This behavior was observed in several samples, and rules out any possibility of this being an isolated case of contamination.
