Some upcoming missions

Sampling of 3 missions

Cassini

1. Arrives in late 2004 at Saturn system
2. Contains an orbiter with 12 instruments and the Huygens probe to Titan that has 6 instruments
3. Key orbiter instruments:

Radar imager primarily to image the surface of Titan
Several spectrometers
Two cameras, wide- and narrow-angle; narrow angle has resolution of a few meters.
Magnetometer
Cosmic dust analyzer

4. Probe instruments:

Descent imaging
Gas analyzers
Sensors to get surface properties

Messenger

1. First mission to Mercury since the 70's
2. Launches 2004, Arrives 2009
3. Variety of instruments to study interior, surface, and solar wind environment.

Genesis

1. Purpose is to study the solar wind and collect solar wind particles.
2. Sent to the Earth-Sun L1 point.
3. Will return sample plates in September, 2004, where spacecraft will be caught by a helicoptor.