Elon Musk's rocket will launch NASA's nuclear helicopter to Saturn's moon for $3 billion: what's the purpose? (photo)

The company SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has joined NASA's ambitious mission to Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The powerful Falcon Heavy rocket will send the Dragonfly helicopter, equipped with a nuclear engine, on a multi-year journey to determine if there is life on the Saturnian moon, reports Interesting Engineering.

NASA has signed a contract with SpaceX worth $256.6 million, under which the Falcon Heavy rocket will deliver the nuclear-powered helicopter named Dragonfly to Titan. The launch is scheduled to take place between July 5 and July 25, 2028.

The flight of this unique aircraft to Titan was initially planned for 2025, but NASA faced funding issues. Now, it seems they have found the necessary funds, as the overall cost of the mission to Saturn's largest moon is estimated at $3.35 billion.

Titan is a world unlike any other known body in the Solar System. It is the only moon in the Solar System with a dense atmosphere. It is also the only known world where liquid rivers, lakes, and seas exist on the surface, although they are composed of liquid hydrocarbons. However, it is believed that there may be underground liquid water hidden beneath Titan's surface.

Scientists believe that life may exist on Titan in various forms. If underground water can support life as we know it, then exotic life forms could exist in the hydrocarbon rivers, lakes, and seas. Although scientists do not rule out the possibility that there is no life at all on the Saturnian moon.

Therefore, the Dragonfly helicopter, equipped with a nuclear engine, aims to determine whether there is life on Titan or if it ever existed there. During the mission, the helicopter will study both Titan's atmosphere while flying over the surface and the terrain features, including icy plains and sandy elevations, when it lands. At those moments, the helicopter will collect samples from various locations on Titan's surface and conduct on-site analysis.

The Dragonfly helicopter, the size of a car, will be searching not only for signs of possible life but also for evidence of the building blocks necessary for life to exist. Scientists have already identified the key locations on the Saturnian moon where conditions are favorable for life to develop. A mixture of carbon-rich materials along with liquid water in these areas could facilitate the emergence of life as we know it.

Titan is located about 1.2 billion kilometers from Earth, which means that the journey to the Saturnian moon will take 6 years. From 2034 to 2036, the Dragonfly helicopter will conduct its research on Titan, although the mission may be extended depending on the spacecraft's technical condition.