A 2012 reconstruction found Huygens punched a 12-centimeter hole into Titan in 2005, then bounced out, slid 30 to 40 centimeters and rocked five times before stopping after nearly 10 seconds.
Instrument jolts recorded during touchdown, combined with computer simulations and a physical drop test, produced the best-fit sequence because no external camera captured the landing.
One acceleration spike suggests the 200-kilogram probe may have struck a pebble about 1 inch high during its first wobble and possibly pressed it into the ground.
That motion indicates a surface that could support light pressure but yield under heavier force—co-author Erich Karkoschka likened it to snow frozen on top.
Dust-like organic particles stayed suspended for about 4 seconds after impact, hinting the landing site had not seen methane or ethane rain for some time.