Proposal for a CubeSat probe constellation to map Titan's atmosphere

This project began as a scientific article I developed for the Joves i Ciència program, where I proposed a full mission architecture to investigate Titan using a constellation of small atmospheric probes. The work was selected by the program’s scientific committee, which opened the door for me to attend the Research Science Institute (RSI). That early recognition shaped the trajectory of the project and allowed me to continue refining it at a higher academic level.
In 2025, I presented the resulting research paper at the AIAA Regional Student Conference, where it was accepted for publication

Abstract:
In this paper, we propose the design of a mission to investigate Titan. The core part of the mission are the CAPOs (Cubesat Atmospheric PrObe) which are 2U CubeSats that will be used as probes to collect data while they are descending Titan’s atmosphere. In the paper, we present the design of the CAPOs and the design and build of a CAPO prototype, using easily available components. The scope of the CAPOs is to measure relevant scientific data of Titan’s atmosphere, for this purpose they will have a set of sensors to measure parameters such as: Temperature; Atmospheric pressure; Methane; Carbon dioxide; High energy particles; Ultraviolet light; Magnetic field. All of these need their location to be determined. In order to do that, we propose the use of NAVSATs (NAVigation SATellites). We will discuss their design and requirements. We also propose the user requirements and the overall design of some subsystems of the MOTHER (Master Orbiter for Titan atmospHEric Research), which is the satellite that will be orbiting Titan and will dispense both the CAPOs and the NAVSATs. Once the NAVSATs are deployed, they will get in the desired orbit to be able to transmit navigational system to the CAPOs. Once the CAPOs are deployed (one by one) they will start the descent trough Titan’s atmosphere while measuring all the parameters.