Though the proposed ESA/NASA EJSM mission to the Jupiter system is currently an orbiter only mission, it is recognised that the addition of a surface element to Europa and Ganymede could address additional science of the highest priority.

Penetrators proposed as a Europa surface element would be capable of directly investigating the presence of astrobiological material and habitability of Europa; its physical, geophysical and chemical properties.

A companion proposal for the ESA Ganymede orbiter, whilst capable of similar investigations and synergy with Europa investigations, is not currently considered a likely add-on as it exceeds the current mass budget of this spacecraft.

News

• EJSM - Europa Penetrators Newsletter (Jan'11)
• Europa Penetrator poster presented at 4th EJSM Workshop Universal City, LA. (Jul'10)
• "Penetrators for In Situ Sub-Surface Investigations of Europa" Publication (2010)
• Declaration of Interest in penetrators for Ganymede & Europa submitted to ESA (11May09)

Europa Presentations

• Update on Penetrators for the Moon, Ganymede, Europa & Mars (June'10)
• In-situ Science on the Surfaces of Ganymede and Europa with Penetrators Potsdam, Germany (Sep 2009)
• Astrobiology Signals with Penetrators on Europa Mulhouse, France (June 2009)
• Penetrators For Europa Europa Lander Workshop, Moscow (Feb09)
• Penetrators for Europa Monrovia,LA, U.S.A (May08)
• Penetrators for Europa Frascati, Italy (Apr08)
• Europa-Jupiter ESA Cosmic Visions London (Nov06)

Video

• Europa video

 

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3rd February 2011, Rob Gowen. rag@mssl.ucl.ac.uk

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