Methone
Saturn XXXII · S/2004 S 1
Introduction
- Type
- Small inner moon of Saturn.Source: [1] Wikipedia
- Discovery
- Discovered: June 1, 2004, Cassini Imaging Team.Source: [2] NASA Science
Physical
- Size
- Size: Mean radius ≈ 1.6 km; Shape: Egg-shaped triaxial ellipsoid.Source: [2] NASA Science, [1] Wikipedia
- Mass
- Density: ≈ 0.31 g/cm³ — among the lowest known.Source: [1] Wikipedia
- Rotation
- Not measured in our sources.
- Surface composition
- Not measured in detail in our sources.
- Moons
- None reported in our sources.
Orbit & access
- Orbit
- Mean distance: ≈ 194,700 km from Saturn; Orbital period: ≈ 24 hours; Resonance: 14:15 with Mimas.Source: [3] NASA JPL Solar System Dynamics, [2] NASA Science, [1] Wikipedia
- Accessibility (Δv / travel time)
- Model assumptionAbout 13.8 km/s of ideal Δv from low Earth orbit (7.29 km/s to depart + 6.52 km/s to arrive), and about 6.1 years for an ideal transfer.Model calculation from our Space Resource Intelligence (SRI) sample report: ideal transfer to the parent planet, then capture into this moon's orbit; no gravity assists. Real trajectories differ.
- Mission history
- Closest Cassini flyby: May 20, 2012, ≈ 1,900 km.Source: [1] Wikipedia
Resources & economy
- Believed resources
- Model assumptionOur model looks at water / volatiles for propellant and life support. Usable fraction assumed at 0.1–0.3 of extracted material (bear to bull). Very low density suggests ice-rich, porous material, but ice fraction is not measured; SRI assumption.SRI sample-model assumption, not a measurement.
- Economic outlook
- Model assumptionScientific value now; any resource value is long-horizon option value. Our sample model gives an NPV of about −$2,158M (bear), −$1,037M (base) and $4,937M (bull).Model output from our SRI sample valuation model (launch, product value, transit, extraction and discount-rate inputs are scenario assumptions, not forecasts). Not investment advice.
- Business uses
- Information products, science partnerships, and a (very long-shot) in-space resource case. See the Business page. Open →