Project VALKYRIE: Laser-Powered Cryobots and Other Methods for Penetrating Deep Ice on Ocean Worlds

Stone, William C.; Hogan, B.; Siegel, Vickie; Harman, John; Flesher, Chris; Clark, Erin; Pradhan, Omkar; Gasiewski, Albin J.; Howe, S.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73845-1_4

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The positive correlation of the cell and ATP data with Al 3+ and K + likely reflect contributions from aeolian transport to the ice surface and subsequent weathering, but the data for Co 2+ (Fig. 3a) are interesting when juxtaposed with the results of Taylor and Sullivan (2008). This study showed that uptake of Co 2+ and vitamin B 12 synthesis by bacteria in Antarctic sea ice supplied this vital micronutrient to algae auxotrophic for B 12 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

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Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier

et al. 2018

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Abstract. Incident solar radiation absorbed within the ablation zone of glaciers generates a shallow perched aquifer and seasonal icebound microbial habitat. During the melt seasons of 2014 and 2015, borehole investigations were used to examine the physical, geochemical, and microbiological properties in the near-surface ice and aquifer of the temperate Matanuska Glacier (south-central Alaska). Based on temperature, solar forcing, and ice optical properties, the dissipation of shortwave radiation promoted internal melting and the formation of a weathering crust with a maximum depth of ∼2 m. Boreholes into the weathering crust provided access to water percolating through the porous ice. The water had low ion concentrations (4–12 µS cm−1), was aerobic (12 mg O2 L−1), contained 200 to 8300 cells mL−1, and harbored growing populations with estimated in situ generation times of 11 to 14 days. During the melt season, the upper 2 m of ice experienced at least 3 % of the surface photosynthetically active radiation flux and possessed a fractional water content as high as 10 %. Photosynthetic subsistence of biogeochemical reactions in the weathering crust ecosystem was supported by ex situ metabolic experiments and the presence of phototrophic taxa (cyanobacteria, golden and green algae) in the aquifer samples. Meltwater durations of ∼7.5 months coupled with the growth estimates imply biomass may increase by 4 orders of magnitude each year. Our results provide insight into how seasonal dynamics affect habitability of near-surface ice and microbial processes in a portion of the glacial biome poised to expand in extent with increasing global temperature and ablation season duration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…6c; Table S4). Previous studies have identified Ancylonema nordenskioldii and Mesotaenium breggrenii in Matanuska Glacier cryoconites near the terminus (Takeuchi et al, 2003) as well as on the surface of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets (Anesio et al, 2017;Lutz et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier

et al. 2018

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“…Enceladus exo-ocean exploration should be based on penetrating robots as melting probes. The NASA-funded cryobot named VALKYRIE, developed at Stone Aerospace (Texas, USA), consists of a laser beamed down to a fiber optic cable as a heat source to melt the ice, and it was successfully tested in an Alaskan glacier (Stone et al, 2014(Stone et al, , 2018. Insights on potential pitfalls and issues related to the penetration of ice shells could be gained from the results of similar trials carried out in Antarctic subglacial lakes (Siegert, 2018).…”

Section: Cryobotsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exo-Ocean Exploration with Deep-Sea Sensor and Platform Technologies

et al. 2020

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“…238 Pu, due to the beta radiation and the resulting bremsstrahlung; also the daughter product, Yttrium 90 Y, is a strong beta emitter. Strontium has been suggested, e.g., in the frame of the VALYRIE proposal (Stone et al 2018a). 210 Po, despite of its high specific power at BOL, is not favorable for a mission to the outer solar system, where the transfer alone takes many years, due to its short half-life.…”

Section: Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

Key Technologies and Instrumentation for Subsurface Exploration of Ocean Worlds

Dachwald

Ulamec

Postberg³

et al. 2020

Space Sci Rev

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In this chapter, the key technologies and the instrumentation required for the subsurface exploration of ocean worlds are discussed. The focus is laid on Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus because they have the highest potential for such missions in the near future. The exploration of their oceans requires landing on the surface, penetrating the thick ice shell with an ice-penetrating probe, and probably diving with an underwater vehicle through dozens of kilometers of water to the ocean floor, to have the chance to find

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Project VALKYRIE: Laser-Powered Cryobots and Other Methods for Penetrating Deep Ice on Ocean Worlds

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier

Microbial processes in the weathering crust aquifer of a temperate glacier

Exo-Ocean Exploration with Deep-Sea Sensor and Platform Technologies

Key Technologies and Instrumentation for Subsurface Exploration of Ocean Worlds

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