> You are forgetting a key element. INSULATION.
> And self heating.
> 
> http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini-Huygens/SEMTV82VQUD_1.html
> "gold-coloured multi-layer insulation blankets will provide
> benign thermal conditions inside"
> 
> Properly insulated, and thermally managed, it wouldn't
> take too much energy to keep the electronics happy.

Right on.  Per NPR, the temperature inside Huygens was "room temp"
even after it touched down.  In fact, Huygens continued operating and
transmitting data FAR longer than expected; so long, in fact, that rotation
of Titan carried it out of range of Cassini.  Upsetting, since more data
is always better, but at least we know that we got the maximum bang
for our Euro (since it was an ESA program, after all ;-)).

Mike H.
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