Huygens Probe Ready for Spectacular Mission to Titan

Mission managers for the European Space Agency's Huygens probe said the spacecraft is on course for its descent to Saturn's mysterious moon Titan on Friday, Jan. 14. The probe, which detached from NASA's Cassini orbiter last month, will be the first object to explore on-site the unique environment of Titan, whose chemistry is thought to be very similar to that of early Earth, before life formed. The data gathered during the probe's 2 1/2 hour descent through Titan's atmosphere will be transmitted from the probe to the Cassini orbiter and then back to Earth.

January 14, Friday: ESA TV Schedule Highlights (times are subject to change)

3 a.m. - ESA TV coverage via NASA TV begins and continues throughout the day

11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. - ESA News Briefing

No earlier than 2:45 p.m. - ESA Commentary and presentation of first image and data from Titan

January 15, Saturday 5 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. - ESA News Briefing "Early Look at Science Results"

Click here for the latest news on the Cassini-Hygens mission. -Ed.