// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Enceladus
Enceladus is a moon of Saturn known for its geysers that spray water vapor and ice particles into space. These plumes suggest the presence of a subsurface ocean, making it a candidate for life.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A moon of Saturn renowned for its active cryovolcanism, ejecting water vapor and ice particles from its south polar region, indicating a subsurface liquid water ocean with potential for habitability and hydrothermal activity.
BACKGROUND
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the United States' civil space program and for research in aeronautics and space. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NASA operates ten field centers across the U.S. and is organized into three mission directorates: Human Spaceflight, Research and Technology, and Science. Established in 1958, NASA succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) to give the U.S. space program a distinct civilian orientation focused on peaceful applications. Since then, it has led most American spaceflight programs, including Project Mercury, Project Gemini, the Apollo program, Skylab, the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS) and the ongoing multi-national Artemis program.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Saturn's moon Enceladus
- Icy moon
- Cryovolcanic moon
USAGE NOTE
The Cassini mission provided strong evidence for a subsurface ocean on Enceladus.