Aster › Space program › Epimetheus
Epimetheus
Position on the route: 47/130 · level needed 126 · journey (Mk0 engine) 24.6 h
By the numbers
| Size | ≈ 130 × 114 × 106 km |
|---|---|
| Year | 16.7 hours |
| Distance | 151,422 km |
| Partner | Janus |
The story
Epimetheus and Janus make the Solar System’s oddest pair: the two moons share almost the same orbit and swap places about every four years. The dance happened in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022; the smaller Epimetheus moves more.
About 116 km, cratered and low in density (0.64 g/cm³): a rubble pile. Found in 1966; in 1980 Voyager 1 proved they were two separate bodies.
Missions
- Voyager 1 (1980): confirmed as two bodies
- Cassini (2004–2017): close images
Colony note
Close to the ring; weak gravity. A station.
What probes bring back
- It shares an orbit with Janus: about every four years they swap places, most recently in 2022.
- About 116 km, cratered and porous.