http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04....htm?list837920

Could be useful for the return trip from Titan, if anyone wants to take a shot at it.

“Imagine, a methane-powered rocket could allow a robotic probe to land on the surface of Titan, gather geological samples, refill its tanks, and blast off to return those samples to Earth. Such a sample-return mission from the outer solar system has never been attempted.”





I like it.

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.p...ost&p=86105

Methane is only half the fuel. The other is liquid oxygen. So you would still have to bring LOX or make it from splitting water (which takes energy). Still, it is better to have half your rocket fuel readily available than none (visiting a rocky planet with no atmosphere). Look at the situation as a glass (rocket) half full.

Sadly, the oxygen is 80% of the mass.

Given this reaction: CH4 + 2O2 = CO2 + 2H2O

One mole of CH4 weighs 12+4=16 grams, and 2 moles of O2 weighs 2x16x2 = 64 grams, so the Oxygen is 64 out of a total of 80 grams, or 80%.

On the other hand, if you can make oxygen in sitiu, this is a really attractive proposition.

--Greg

I would imagine that it's possible to make O2 in situ, especially if you can find water ice. But the problem comes, where can you find water ice and methane in the same area? That's quite a bit more of a challenge...

It seems (to me) that finding water ice and methane on Titan would be
as easy as finding rocks and water (respectively) on Earth.