| |
 |
| Paper: |
Europa Exploration: Science and Mission Priorities |
| Volume: |
272, The Future of Solar System Exploration, 2003-2013: Community Contributions to the NRC Solar System Exploration Decadal Survey |
| Page: |
217 |
| Authors: |
Cooper, J.F.; Phillips, C.B.; Green, J.R.; Wu, X.; Carlson, R.W.; Tamppari, L.K.; Terrile, R.J.; Johnson, R.E.; Eraker, J.H.; Makris, N.C. |
| Abstract: |
This report surveys the present state of knowledge for Europa
and recommends key science objectives and spacecraft missions for
the next decade of 2003 - 2013 and beyond. The highest priority initial
objective is to confirm the presence of a subsurface water ocean, for which
the evidence from multiple observations is already very compelling but
not yet definitive. This should be addressed by a coupled set of gravity,
altimetry, and magnetic field measurements in Europa orbit. Other related
objectives include remote surveys for recent ocean-associated activity
on the surface, the determination of chemical composition for Europa's
surface, atmosphere, and dust ring, global mapping of energy and
composition for magnetospheric particles incident at the surface, and the
search for biochemical markers of any organisms originating from habitats
below the visible surface. These objectives can partly be addressed
by the same initial orbiter with addition of a moderate suite of remote-sensing
and in-situ analysis instruments. Alternatively, a mission
with return to Earth of atmosphere and dust ring samples for chemical
and isotopic analysis could achieve some of the compositional objectives.
Science and engineering development are needed to support planning for
lander missions in future decades.
|
|
|
|
|
|
