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Huygens Probe Lands on Titan
WillDraven writes "CNN, NASA and the ESA are reporting that the Huygens space probe has entered the atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan after traveling 2.2 billion miles. Pictures from the moon's surface should be available sometime this afternoon" according to the NASA TV schedule. What we know so far is that Huygens landed successfully and sent at least the carrier signal from the surface to Cassini for 90+ minutes, more than expected, and that Cassini has successfully repointed at the Earth and begun relaying the data it received, beginning with test packets. Huygens now sits on Titan, silent forever, while we wait to see whether or how much valuable data Cassini obtained and can send back. Update: 01/14 17:20 GMT by M : So far: they report zero lost packets in the transmission, but one of the two independent data-collection systems is apparently giving some problems. Update: 01/14 21:40 GMT by J : The news is pretty much all good: a very successful mission. Expect to see many photos within hours, but for now apparently only three have been released. Ice blocks or rolling stones -- let the debates begin!
Why oh why did we have to do this? We put our Earth microbes contaminated landing craft on Titan, and no one thought of the effect this would have on the Titans?
Did no one ever read the "War of the Worlds"? We have surely wiped out their kind forever! Couldn't we just stay home and trash our own planet? Oh the horror, the horror!
On the bright side, cool pics are expected!
HexaByte - he's a square and a half!
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Stupidity is an equal opportunity striker.
Fellow slashdotter Bill Dog
When they are the same people screaming we need a better environment, but as the same time have stopped all new nuclear power plants from being built, which could put an end to coal power plants. Yes, yes they are dirty stupid ignorant hippies! :)