NASA’s Dragonfly mission, aimed at investigating Saturn’s moon Titan for signs of life, has passed its Critical Design Review, ensuring it remains on track for a 2028 launch.

The car-sized, nuclear-powered rotorcraft will study Titan’s surface, searching for prebiotic chemistry and potential life.

With a budget of $3.35 billion, the mission is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, embarking on a nearly seven-year journey to Titan.

Dragonfly will spend over three years exploring the moon’s diverse surface, including its methane lakes and potential subsurface ocean, Space.com has reported.

The mission is a key step in understanding the potential for life on other planets.

Written by B.C. Begley