Exploring the Composition of Europa with the Upcoming Europa Clipper Mission
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11214_2024_Article_1069.pdf
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Author(s)
Becker, T. M.
Zolotov, M. Y.
Gudipati, M. S.
Soderblom, J. M.
McGrath, M. A.
Henderson, B. L.
Hedman, M. M.
Choukroun, M.
Clark, R. N.
Chivers, C.
Date Issued
June 19, 2024
Journal
Space Science Reviews
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Citation
Becker, T.M., Zolotov, M.Y., Gudipati, M.S. et al. Exploring the Composition of Europa with the Upcoming Europa Clipper Mission. Space Sci Rev 220, 49 (2024).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, harbors a subsurface liquid water ocean; the prospect of this ocean being habitable motivates further exploration of the moon with the upcoming NASA Europa Clipper mission. Key among the mission goals is a comprehensive assessment of the moon’s composition, which is essential for assessing Europa’s habitability. Through powerful remote sensing and in situ investigations, the Europa Clipper mission will explore the composition of Europa’s surface and subsurface, its tenuous atmosphere, and the local space environment surrounding the moon. Clues on the interior composition of Europa will be gathered through these assessments, especially in regions that may expose subsurface materials, including compelling geologic landforms or locations indicative of recent or current activity such as potential plumes. The planned reconnaissance of the icy world will constrain models that simulate the ongoing external and internal processes that act to alter its composition. This paper presents the composition-themed goals for the Europa Clipper mission, the synergistic, composition-focused investigations that will be conducted, and how the anticipated scientific return will advance our understanding of the origin, evolution, and current state of Europa.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
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Creative Commons Attribution
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01069-y
