Submillimeter-Wave Phased Array for Titan Atmospheric Sounding Instrument

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is an organically reach world with Earth-like geological conditions such as thick nitrogen atmosphere and stable liquid on its surface. Unique to Titan is the surface-atmosphere interactions which transfer the complex organic molecules formed up in the atmosphere to the surface. These organic materials are then moved and shaped by wind and rain into dunes, lakes and seas. Understanding of this complex surface-atmosphere relation is the need of the hour as it will facilitate future missions to this unique world. In this work, we present a submillimeter-wave limb sounder instrument concept that can directly measure the vertical profiles of temperature, winds, and trace gases in Titan's atmosphere which will help to improve our understanding of the complex atmospheric circulations on Titan as well as on other slow rotating planetary bodies. Here we present a demonstration of submillimeter-wave phased array antenna system for electronic beam steering that will enable significant reduction on size-weight-and-power requirements of the potential future missions.