Other
Scientific paper
Aug 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aspc..272..217c&link_type=abstract
The Future of Solar System Exploration (2003-2013) -- Community Contributions to the NRC Solar System Exploration Decadal Survey
Other
1
Scientific paper
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 flux 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 flyby 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.
Carlson Richard W.
Cooper John F.
Eraker J. H.
Green John R.
Johnson Robert E.
No associations
LandOfFree
Europa Exploration: Science and Mission Priorities does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Europa Exploration: Science and Mission Priorities, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Europa Exploration: Science and Mission Priorities will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1676573