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- Title
Investigating Europa's Habitability with the Europa Clipper.
- Authors
Vance, Steven D.; Craft, Kathleen L.; Shock, Everett; Schmidt, Britney E.; Lunine, Jonathan; Hand, Kevin P.; McKinnon, William B.; Spiers, Elizabeth M.; Chivers, Chase; Lawrence, Justin D.; Wolfenbarger, Natalie; Leonard, Erin J.; Robinson, Kirtland J.; Styczinski, Marshall J.; Persaud, Divya M.; Steinbrügge, Gregor; Zolotov, Mikhail Y.; Quick, Lynnae C.; Scully, Jennifer E. C.; Becker, Tracy M.
- Abstract
The habitability of Europa is a property within a system, which is driven by a multitude of physical and chemical processes and is defined by many interdependent parameters, so that its full characterization requires collaborative investigation. To explore Europa as an integrated system to yield a complete picture of its habitability, the Europa Clipper mission has three primary science objectives: (1) characterize the ice shell and ocean including their heterogeneity, properties, and the nature of surface–ice–ocean exchange; (2) characterize Europa's composition including any non-ice materials on the surface and in the atmosphere, and any carbon-containing compounds; and (3) characterize Europa's geology including surface features and localities of high science interest. The mission will also address several cross-cutting science topics including the search for any current or recent activity in the form of thermal anomalies and plumes, performing geodetic and radiation measurements, and assessing high-resolution, co-located observations at select sites to provide reconnaissance for a potential future landed mission. Synthesizing the mission's science measurements, as well as incorporating remote observations by Earth-based observatories, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other space-based resources, to constrain Europa's habitability, is a complex task and is guided by the mission's Habitability Assessment Board (HAB).
- Subjects
JAMES Webb Space Telescope (Spacecraft); SEA ice; RADIATION measurements; SPACE telescopes; CHEMICAL processes; OBSERVATORIES
- Publication
Space Science Reviews, 2023, Vol 219, Issue 8, p1
- ISSN
0038-6308
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11214-023-01025-2