Two days ago (Sept. 30, 2013), NASA planetary scientists announced that they discovered an essential chemical in the process of making plastic on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. This ingredient is called propylene, which we combine with other propylene molecules to create polypropylene, which is one of the most common forms of plastic. But propylene is only one of the interesting chemicals found on Titan. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which discovered the propylene, also found, back in 1980, that Titans atmosphere also contains many other hydrocarbons, which are the family of molecules that make up fossil fuels. These molecules form on Titan when methane in the atmosphere is broken down by sunlight. The carbon atoms then reform into other molecules, including hydrocarbons. One of the most interesting among these hydrocarbons found on Titan is propane.
The idea of finding propane and other fossil fuels on Titan, or anywhere in our solar system, for that matter, is both incredible and terrifying. Scientific discoveries of this magnitude are always incredible, however, with our current dependence on fossil fuels, it is equally terrifying to think that we may have found a new, untapped source of hydrocarbons. It also brings about the question of how this will affect the idea of commercializing space. With oil being the perhaps the most sought after commodity on Earth, there is little doubt that oil tycoons will soon be forced to turn to a new source to supply the world with its insatiable demand for fossil fuels. Other planets could be an ideal source. All it would take is a unmanned spacecraft that could successfully land on Titan, equipped with machinery to gather fuel. The craft could even refill its tanks for the return flight home. While this would certainly lead to incredible advances in spaceflight and space exploration, it is hard to condone the idea of oil companies bringing even more fossil fuels into our atmosphere here on Earth.
Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-finds-ingredient-plastic-saturns-moon-titan-145445605.html
