This is the Huygens probe, which descended to the surface of Titan after being released by the Cassini spacecraft. The rate of spin is true according to the Celestia Open Universe program with which the animation was made.
This shows the true rate of spin for the probe, according to what is produced by Celestia. Following from the loss of Beagle2, the lander that crashed on Mars, it has been suggested that the rate of spin during descent quite likely wouldn't have maintained stability for that probe. So, it is a critical parameter for such a mission - and it is very difficult to be sure what is the best spin rate.
This shows the true rate of spin for the probe, according to what is produced by Celestia. Following from the loss of Beagle2, the lander that crashed on Mars, it has been suggested that the rate of spin during descent quite likely wouldn't have maintained stability for that probe. So, it is a critical parameter for such a mission - and it is very difficult to be sure what is the best spin rate.
andrewburbidge 2 years ago