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[i]The Aviatr plane looks like the drones that fly over Afghanistan - but the $715 million vehicle is designed to fly over Saturn's largest moon, Titan, a body that has fascinated scientists because of its thick, cloudy atmosphere. The Aviatr probe is built to take 3D photos of the surface, to help scientists build up a picture of the planet's geology. At the end of its mission, the 120kg aircraft would dive down to the surface and attempt a landing on Titan's dunes. Jason Barnes, a scientist at a University of Idaho designed the concept with a team of 30. Aviatr did not make NASA's last round of funding - although the $715m price tag includes a delivery system to get it to Titan. Barnes remains hopeful that interest in Aviatr is high, and that he can make the next round of funding. He is insistent that a heavier-than-air craft is the best way to explore the thick atmosphere of Titan - and that a balloon would not do the job.[/i]
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