Science Potential from a Europa Lander

R. T. Pappalardo; S. Vance; F. Bagenal; B. G. Bills; D. L. Blaney; D. D. Blankenship; W. B. Brinckerhoff; J. E. P. Connerney; K. P. Hand; T. M. Hoehler; J. S. Leisner; W. S. Kurth; M. A. McGrath; M. T. Mellon; J. M. Moore; G. W. Patterson; L. M. Prockter; D. A. Senske; B. E. Schmidt; E. L. Shock; D. E. Smith; K. M. Soderlund

doi:10.1089/ast.2013.1003

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Journal article

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Science Potential from a Europa Lander

R. T. Pappalardo, S. Vance, F. Bagenal, B. G. Bills, D. L. Blaney, D. D. Blankenship, W. B. Brinckerhoff, J. E. P. Connerney, K. P. Hand, T. M. Hoehler, …

Astrobiology, Vol.13(8), pp.740-773

08/01/2013

DOI: 10.1089/ast.2013.1003

PMID: 23924246

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Abstract

The prospect of a future soft landing on the surface of Europa is enticing, as it would create science opportunities that could not be achieved through flyby or orbital remote sensing, with direct relevance to Europa's potential habitability. Here, we summarize the science of a Europa lander concept, as developed by our NASA-commissioned Science Definition Team. The science concept concentrates on observations that can best be achieved by in situ examination of Europa from its surface. We discuss the suggested science objectives and investigations for a Europa lander mission, along with a model planning payload of instruments that could address these objectives. The highest priority is active sampling of Europa's non-ice material from at least two different depths (0.5-2 cm and 5-10 cm) to understand its detailed composition and chemistry and the specific nature of salts, any organic materials, and other contaminants. A secondary focus is geophysical prospecting of Europa, through seismology and magnetometry, to probe the satellite's ice shell and ocean. Finally, the surface geology can be characterized in situ at a human scale. A Europa lander could take advantage of the complex radiation environment of the satellite, landing where modeling suggests that radiation is about an order of magnitude less intense than in other regions. However, to choose a landing site that is safe and would yield the maximum science return, thorough reconnaissance of Europa would be required prior to selecting a scientifically optimized landing site.

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Biology

Geology

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Science Potential from a Europa Lander
Creators: R. T. Pappalardo - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
S. Vance - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
F. Bagenal - University of Colorado System
B. G. Bills - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
D. L. Blaney - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
D. D. Blankenship - The University of Texas at Austin
W. B. Brinckerhoff - Goddard Space Flight Center
J. E. P. Connerney - Goddard Space Flight Center
K. P. Hand - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
T. M. Hoehler - Ames Research Center
J. S. Leisner - University of Iowa
W. S. Kurth - University of Iowa
M. A. McGrath - Marshall Space Flight Center
M. T. Mellon - Southwest Research Institute
J. M. Moore - Ames Research Center
G. W. Patterson - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
L. M. Prockter - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
D. A. Senske - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
B. E. Schmidt - The University of Texas at Austin
E. L. Shock - Materials Sciences (United States)
D. E. Smith - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
K. M. Soderlund - The University of Texas at Austin
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Astrobiology, Vol.13(8), pp.740-773
DOI: 10.1089/ast.2013.1003
PMID: 23924246
NLM abbreviation: Astrobiology
ISSN: 1531-1074
eISSN: 1557-8070
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
Number of pages: 34
Language: English
Date published: 08/01/2013
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455268202771

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