NASA's Dragonfly mission to Saturn moon Titan postponed to 2028 due to nuclear power complications

NASA has announced a one-year delay for its Dragonfly mission to explore Saturn's moon Titan, with a provisional launch date set for July 2028. The delay is attributed to budgetary uncertainty, as the official costing and scheduling of the mission have been postponed due to funding uncertainties in 2024 and 2025. Dragonfly, a nuclear-powered rotorcraft drone, will investigate Titan's potential habitability and search for signs of water or hydrocarbon-based life. It will also collect samples to determine the composition of surface materials under varying geological conditions. The mission is of high priority for planetary scientists due to Titan's thick atmosphere, Earth-like hydrological cycle, and potential for habitability.