Europa , the glacial synodic month of Jupiter , is a favourite mark for everyone from serious exobiologists to affirmative skill fiction generator asa belike lay to detect exotic life in our solar system . Today , NASA denote the nine instruments that will be on - control board the next robotic adventurer to investigate the oracular world .
Artist’s concept of the Europa mission. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Theyet - to - be - cite Europa missionis still a farsighted way off — it wo n’t launch until the 2020s , and then it will take another 3 to 8 years to get into the Jovian organisation — but just took a major step forward withinstrument option . Of 33 offer instruments for the satellite , 9 were select to start the complicated process of moving from design through examination before eventually being rise on the next robotic explorer . This will be the first mission to loaf around Europa since the Galileo space vehicle complete 11 flybys of the challenging moon .
The instruments let in photographic camera across a range for wavelengths , radiolocation , mass mass spectrometer , and magnetic investigations to soundly characterize the tiny moon . This will be our first dedicated , detailed look at the moon , andthe very first steps in searching for signs of biography or potential habitability :
Europa Imaging System ( EIS ): This duad of wide and narrow slant photographic camera will ply blanket - coverage maps at 50 meter ( 164 substructure ) resolution , with selected elaborate areas at 100 times that resolution . It is under chief researcher Dr. Elizabeth Turtle of Johns Hopkins University ’s Applied Physics Laboratory .
Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa ( MISE ): This spectrometer will use light signatures to identify the composition of Europa ’s surface , mapping distribution of organics , saltiness , acid hydrates , water frosting phases , and other fabric that can give hints about if Europa ’s ocean could support life . It is under principal investigator Dr. Diana Blaney of Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ) .
MAss SPectrometer for Planetary EXploration / Europa ( MASPEX ): This mass mass spectrometer will taste the extremely tenuous atmosphere and any ejected surface stuff in an cause to learn the composition of the surface ice and subsurface ocean . It is under the direction of primary investigator Dr. Jack ( Hunter ) Waite of the Southwest Research Institute ( SwRI ) .
Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding ( PIMS ): This instrument will utilize the magnetic trigger signal for blood plasma current around Europa in conjugation with readings from a magnetometer ( ICEMAG ) to measure the ice shell thickness , sea depth , and brininess of the subsurface sea . It is under primary investigator Dr. Joseph Westlake of Johns Hopkins University ’s Applied Physics Laboratory .
Interior Characterization of Europa using Magnetometry ( ICEMAG ): This gaussmeter will utilise multi - frequency electromagnetic sounding to measure the magnetic champaign of the flyspeck lunar month . In continuative with plasm sounding ( PIMS ) , it will be used to investigate the location , heaviness , and salt of Europa ’s hidden ocean . It is under primary police detective Dr. Carol Raymond of NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ) .
microwave radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding : Ocean to Near - surface ( reasonableness ): This ice-skating rink - diffuse microwave radar will be used to characterise the icy crust , disclose hidden structure of the ice rink shell . It is under principal detective Dr. Donald Blankenship of the University of Texas .
Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System ( Es - THEMIS ): This instrument will use multispectral thermic imaging to detect heat in an effort to map potential vent-hole before plumes erupt ( and at the same time confirming that plume exist ) . It is under principal investigator Dr. Philip Christensen of Arizona State University .
Ultraviolet Spectrograph / Europa ( UVS ): The spectrogram will center in the ultraviolet spectrum to concentrate on erupt water plumage , mimicking the techniques rehearse by the Hubble Space Telescope to further characterize the theme and dynamics of the lunar month ’s atmosphere . It is under principal investigator Dr. Kurt Retherford of Southwest Research Institute ( SwRI ) .
SUrface Dust Mass Analyzer ( SUDA ): This mass mass spectrometer will measure any small , substantial particles eject from the moon to direct try the control surface and plume on low - height flybys . It is under chief investigator Dr. Sascha Kempf of the University of Colorado .
Not yet selected for escape , SPace Environmental and Composition Investigation near the Europan Surface ( SPECIES ) has been selected for furhter engineering development . The instrument portmanteau impersonal spate spectrometer and gas chromatograph , and may be developed for other , future commission opportunities . It is under the commission of Dr. Mehdi Benna at NASA ’s Goddard Space Flight Center .
The commission is currently funded through NASA ’s 2016 financial year with $ 30 million intend to formulating the mission . The solar - powered spacecraft is intended to go on a long , loop orbit around Jupiter , making 45 flybys of Europa over a three - class mission . The flybys will wander from cheeseparing - skim at just 25 kilometer ( 16 miles ) to massive overview at 2,7000 klick ( 1,700 land mile ) EL .
Considering howfascinating Europa is when we ’ve just see such a flyspeck slice of it , I am already excited with what we ’ll pick up from a more elaborate , wide view of the moon . And I ’m not the only one :
https://twitter.com/embed/status/603263720605818881
NASA
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