Sep 22, 2023
Dr. Nathalie Cabrol visits Google to discuss the science and
technology of exploring Saturn’s moon, Titan.
Titan is the largest moon in the Saturn system. It is 50% larger
than the Earth's moon, has an atmosphere, and is presumed to have
seas filled with methane and other hydrocarbons. In order for
humanity to explore Titan in the future, we need exploration
systems that are radically different from those currently used in
space. In particular, we need to develop robots that can accumulate
knowledge about their environment; understand mission priorities,
and make and evaluate observations as events happen on site, not
only when receiving commands from Earth.
Dr. Nathalie A. Cabrol leads projects in planetary sciences and
astrobiology at NASA. She develops science exploration strategies
for Mars and Titan, and designs robotic field experiments. She
explores lakes in the Andes up to 6,000 meters high, where
environmental conditions are analogous to early Mars. Through
geologic and diving expeditions, she documents life's adaptation to
extreme environments, the effect of rapid climate change on lake
ecosystems and habitats, its geobiological signatures, and
relevance to planetary exploration.
Originally published in June of 2014.
Visit YouTube.com/TalksatGoogle to
watch the video.