Methods and measurements to assess physical and geochemical conditions at the surface of Europa

Korablev, Oleg; Герасимов, М. В.; Dalton, J. B.; Hand, K. P.; Lebreton, Jean‐Pierre; Webster, C. R.

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2010.12.010

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…The measurement of very long period surface displacements has been proposed for detecting the quasi-elastic deformation of Europa's crust (Korablev et al, 2011;Hussmann et al, 2011) from tilt of the ground relative to the local gravitational field vector due to the tidal cycle.…”

Section: Free Oscillationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vital Signs: Seismology of Icy Ocean Worlds

et al. 2018

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Ice-covered ocean worlds possess diverse energy sources and associated mechanisms that are capable of driving significant seismic activity, but to date no measurements of their seismic activity have been obtained. Such investigations could reveal the transport properties and radial structures, with possibilities for locating and characterizing trapped liquids that may host life and yielding critical constraints on redox fluxes and thus on habitability. Modeling efforts have examined seismic sources from tectonic fracturing and impacts. Here, we describe other possible seismic sources, their associations with science questions constraining habitability, and the feasibility of implementing such investigations. We argue, by analogy with the Moon, that detectable seismic activity should occur frequently on tidally flexed ocean worlds. Their ices fracture more easily than rocks and dissipate more tidal energy than the <1 GW of the Moon and Mars. Icy ocean worlds also should create less thermal noise due to their greater distance and consequently smaller diurnal temperature variations. They also lack substantial atmospheres (except in the case of Titan) that would create additional noise. Thus, seismic experiments could be less complex and less susceptible to noise than prior or planned planetary seismology investigations of the Moon or Mars. Key Words: Seismology-Redox-Ocean worlds-Europa-Ice-Hydrothermal. Astrobiology 18, 37-53.

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Section: Free Oscillationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vital Signs: Seismology of Icy Ocean Worlds

et al. 2018

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“…A landed mission is a likely next step, and detailed concept studies have already investigated how to directly search for evidence of life in the upper tens of centimeters of Europa's icy regolith (Korablev et al 2011;Pappalardo et al 2013;Hand et al 2017;Blanc et al 2020). However, it is the subsurface reservoirs of liquid water within the ice shell and the ocean below that are the most likely regions to maintain presently habitable conditions for extant life (e.g., Schmidt et al 2011;Michaut & Manga 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subsurface Science and Search for Life in Ocean Worlds

et al. 2023

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Several worlds in our solar system are thought to hold oceans of liquid water beneath their frozen surfaces. These subsurface ice and ocean environments are promising targets in the search for life beyond Earth, but they also present significant new technical challenges to planetary exploration. With a focus on Jupiter’s moon Europa, here we (1) identify major benefits and challenges to subsurface ocean world science, (2) provide a multidisciplinary survey of relevant sample handling and life detection technologies, and (3) integrate those perspectives into the Subsurface Science and Search for Life in Ocean Worlds (SSSLOW) concept payload. We discuss scientific goals across three complementary categories: (1) search for life, (2) assess habitability, and (3) investigate geological processes. Major mission challenges considered include submerged operation in high-pressure environments, the need to sample fluids with a range of possible chemical conditions, and detection of biosignatures at low concentrations. The SSSLOW addresses these issues by tightly integrated instrumentation and sample handling systems to enable sequential, complementary measurements while prioritizing preservation of sample context. In this work, we leverage techniques and technologies across several fields to demonstrate a path toward future subsurface exploration and life detection in ice and ocean worlds.

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“…Most of these methods contribute to the 122 L. Zelenyi et al Table 1. A list of possible instruments on the surface of Europa from a lander (adapted from Korablev et al, 2010). assessment of the habitability of Europa, and many chemical analysis experiments have a high potential for biochemical detection of life (see Table 1).…”

Section: Science Goals Of Europa Lander Mission and Possible Measuremmentioning

confidence: 99%

Europa Lander Mission: A Challenge to Find Traces of Alien Life

Zelenyǐ¹,

Korablev

Vorobyova³

et al. 2010

Proc. IAU

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Abstract. An international effort dedicated to science exploration of Jupiter system planned by ESA and NASA in the beginning of next decade includes in-depth science investigation of Europa. In parallel to EJSM (Europa-Jupiter System Mission) Russian Space Agency and the academy of Science plan Laplace-Europa Lander mission, which will include the small telecommunication and science orbiter and the surface element: Europa Lander. In-situ methods on the lander provide the only direct possibility to assess environmental conditions, and to perform the search for signatures of life. A critical advantage of such in situ analysis is the possibility to enhance concentration and detection limits and to provide ground truth for orbital measurements. The science mission of the lander is biological, geophysical, chemical, and environmental characterizations of the Europa surface. Remote investigations from the orbit around Europa would not be sufficient to address fully the astrobiology, geodesy, and geology goals. The science objectives of the planned mission, the synergy between the Europa Lander and EJSM mission elements, and a brief description of the Laplace-Europa Lander mission are presented.

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Methods and measurements to assess physical and geochemical conditions at the surface of Europa

Cited by 9 publications

References 71 publications

Vital Signs: Seismology of Icy Ocean Worlds

Vital Signs: Seismology of Icy Ocean Worlds

Subsurface Science and Search for Life in Ocean Worlds

Europa Lander Mission: A Challenge to Find Traces of Alien Life

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