Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja....14245b&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #14245
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
One technology that will be needed for the exploration of Europa will be some sort of device that is capable of melting its way through the satellite’s outer ice crust, and down towards the putative ocean of liquid water. In order to understand the physical and chemical nature of the ice layers that constitute the Europan crust, as well as hopefully being able to sample any underlying ocean water, it will be necessary for any probe to include a suite of scientific instruments including analytical instruments that are capable of determining the chemical and isotopic compositions of the constituent Europan materials. A demonstration mission can be foreseen at Antarctica with a very simple sample-return probe, that melts through the ice, takes a sample of e.g. Lake Vostok which is an excellent analogue of Europan ice crust/ocean. Sample collection and retrieval could be achieved by means of a pressure valve and the release of a weight, so that the probes has buoyancy and takes the sample back to the surface. The sample, once collected at the surface, could subsequently be analysed by a full suite of analytical techniques including spectroscopic and microbiological analyses. Since the energy demand is high, in case of extraterrestrial application (e.g. Europa), only heating with radioactive material seems feasible. The necessary power is driven by the desired penetration velocity (almost linearly) and the dimensions of the probe (third potency) . Such a probe also needs to be larger to allow in-situ analysis. Data transmission to the surface element would be performed with long wave technology. The choice of the radioactive heater isotope needs to be in accordance with environ-mental / planetary protection regulations.
Biele Jens
Garry James
Ulamec Stefan
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