1. Joint Europa Mission (JEM) a multi-scale study of Europa to characterize its habitability and search for extant life
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David Gaudin, Federico Tosi, David Mimoun, Luisa Lara, Joachim Saur, Ralph D. Lorenz, Krishan K. Khurana, Veerle Sterken, Hauke Hussmann, Norbert Krupp, Sascha Kempf, William Desprats, Philippe Garnier, Ralf Srama, Geoffrey Colins, Jérémie Lasue, Jan-Erik Wahlund, Aljona Blöcker, Katrin Stephan, Antonio Genova, Marcello Coradini, Dominique Fontaine, Andrea Longobardo, Luciano Iess, Peter Wurz, Jean-Pierre Lebreton, Dominic Dirkx, Frances Westall, Steve Vance, Michel Blanc, Leonid I. Gurvits, Cyril Cavel, Adam Masters, Gaël Choblet, Roland Wagner, Adrian Jäggi, Károly Szegő, O. Prieto-Ballesteros, Zita Martins, Jean-Charles Marty, Victor Parro, Pascal Regnier, Edward C. Sittler, Tilman Spohn, Renaud Broquet, Javier Gómez-Elvira, Georges Balmino, François Leblanc, Nicolas André, Martin Volwerk, Paul Hartogh, Philippe Martins, Adriaan Schutte, Geraint H. Jones, John F. Cooper, Ernesto Palumba, Tim Van Hoolst, Emma J. Bunce, Valery Lainey, The Royal Society, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), European Commission, Tosi, F. [0000-0003-4002-2434], Prieto Ballesteros, O. [0000-0002-2278-1210], Longobardo, A. [0000-0002-1797-2741], Van Hoolst, T. [0000-0002-9820-8584], Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planétologie (IRAP), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Météo France-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centro de Astrobiologia [Madrid] (CAB), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), University College of London [London] (UCL), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology [Zürich] (ETH Zürich), Astronomical Institute [Bern], University of Bern, Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE ERIC), Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft), CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [Canberra] (CSIRO), Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics [Los Angeles] (IGPP), University of California [Los Angeles] (UCLA), University of California-University of California, Royal Institute of Technology [Stockholm] (KTH ), Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus Group, University of Leicester, Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique [UMR 6112] (LPG), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Nantes - UFR des Sciences et des Techniques (UN UFR ST), Université de Nantes (UN)-Université de Nantes (UN)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Wheaton College [Norton], Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas (LPP), Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-École polytechnique (X)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome], Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics [Boulder] (LASP), University of Colorado [Boulder], Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Ephémérides (IMCCE), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Lille-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), HELIOS - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers en région Centre (OSUC), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université d'Orléans (UO)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National d’Études Spatiales [Paris] (CNES), Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali - INAF (IAPS), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory [Laurel, MD] (APL), Télécom ParisTech, Universidade de Lisboa (ULISBOA), Imperial College London, Universität zu Köln, Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKA), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Wigner Research Centre for Physics [Budapest], Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA-California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), Royal Observatory of Belgium [Brussels] (ROB), Space Research Institute of Austrian Academy of Sciences (IWF), Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), Centre de biophysique moléculaire (CBM), Université d'Orléans (UO)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC), Unidad de Excelencia Científica María de Maeztu Centro de Astrobiología del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial y CSIC, MDM-2017-0737, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University of California (UC)-University of California (UC), Airbus Defence and Space [Les Mureaux], ASTRIUM, Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung = Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' = Sapienza University [Rome] (UNIROMA), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universidade de Lisboa = University of Lisbon (ULISBOA), Universität zu Köln = University of Cologne, Université d'Orléans (UO)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Institut de Chimie du CNRS (INC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace - ISAE-SUPAERO (FRANCE), Cardon, Catherine, Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP), and Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
Solar System ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Outer planets exploration ,Habitability ,HUYGENS PROBE ,Europa mission ,Mission ,01 natural sciences ,7. Clean energy ,Astrobiology ,law.invention ,Extant taxon ,SULFURIC-ACID ,law ,Galileo (satellite navigation) ,010303 astronomy & astrophysics ,Europa Orbiter ,INSTRUMENT ,SECONDARY ,PLUME ,HYDRATED SALT MINERALS ,Physical Sciences ,symbols ,Europa ,Jupiter system ,SURFACE ,Astronomy & Astrophysics ,[SDU] Sciences of the Universe [physics] ,symbols.namesake ,Orbiter ,Search for life ,0103 physical sciences ,Ocean moon ,0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences ,Astrophysique ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Science & Technology ,Galilean Satellites ,Scale (chemistry) ,Astronomy and Astrophysics ,ATMOSPHERE ,EVOLUTION ,13. Climate action ,Space and Planetary Science ,[SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics] ,Environmental science ,Joint (building) ,habitability ,jupiter system ,ocean moon ,outer planets exploration ,search for life ,SATELLITES - Abstract
Full list of authors: Blanc, Michel; Prieto-Ballesteros, Olga; André, Nicolas; Gomez-Elvira, Javier; Jones, Geraint; Sterken, Veerle; Desprats, William; Gurvits, Leonid I.; Khurana, Krishan; Balmino, Georges; Blöcker, Aljona; Broquet, Renaud; Bunce, Emma; Cavel, Cyril; Choblet, Gaël; Colins, Geoffrey; Coradini, Marcello; Cooper, John; Dirkx, Dominic; Fontaine, Dominique; Garnier, Philippe; Gaudin, David; Hartogh, Paul; Hussmann, Hauke; Genova, Antonio; Iess, Luciano; Jäggi, Adrian; Kempf, Sascha; Krupp, Norbert; Lara, Luisa; Lasue, Jérémie; Lainey, Valéry; Leblanc, François; Lebreton, Jean-Pierre; Longobardo, Andrea; Lorenz, Ralph; Martins, Philippe; Martins, Zita; Marty, Jean-Charles; Masters, Adam; Mimoun, David; Palumba, Ernesto; Parro, Victor; Regnier, Pascal; Saur, Joachim; Schutte, Adriaan; Sittler, Edward C.; Spohn, Tilman; Srama, Ralf; Stephan, Katrin; Szegő, Károly; Tosi, Federico; Vance, Steve; Wagner, Roland; Van Hoolst, Tim; Volwerk, Martin; Wahlund, Jan-Erik; Westall, Frances; Wurz, Peter, Europa is the closest and probably the most promising target to search for extant life in the Solar System, based on complementary evidence that it may fulfil the key criteria for habitability: the Galileo discovery of a sub-surface ocean; the many indications that the ice shell is active and may be partly permeable to transfer of chemical species, biomolecules and elementary forms of life; the identification of candidate thermal and chemical energy sources necessary to drive a metabolic activity near the ocean floor. In this article we are proposing that ESA collaborates with NASA to design and fly jointly an ambitious and exciting planetary mission, which we call the Joint Europa Mission (JEM), to reach two objectives: perform a full characterization of Europa's habitability with the capabilities of a Europa orbiter, and search for bio-signatures in the environment of Europa (surface, subsurface and exosphere) by the combination of an orbiter and a lander. JEM can build on the advanced understanding of this system which the missions preceding JEM will provide: Juno, JUICE and Europa Clipper, and on the Europa lander concept currently designed by NASA (Maize, report to OPAG, 2019). We propose the following overarching goals for our Joint Europa Mission (JEM): Understand Europa as a complex system responding to Jupiter system forcing, characterize the habitability of its potential biosphere, and search for life at its surface and in its sub-surface and exosphere. We address these goals by a combination of five Priority Scientific Objectives, each with focused measurement objectives providing detailed constraints on the science payloads and on the platforms used by the mission. The JEM observation strategy will combine three types of scientific measurement sequences: measurements on a high-latitude, low-altitude Europan orbit; in-situ measurements to be performed at the surface, using a soft lander; and measurements during the final descent to Europa's surface. The implementation of these three observation sequences will rest on the combination of two science platforms: a soft lander to perform all scientific measurements at the surface and sub-surface at a selected landing site, and an orbiter to perform the orbital survey and descent sequences. We describe a science payload for the lander and orbiter that will meet our science objectives. We propose an innovative distribution of roles for NASA and ESA; while NASA would provide an SLS launcher, the lander stack and most of the mission operations, ESA would provide the carrier-orbiter-relay platform and a stand-alone astrobiology module for the characterization of life at Europa's surface: the Astrobiology Wet Laboratory (AWL). Following this approach, JEM will be a major exciting joint venture to the outer Solar System of NASA and ESA, working together toward one of the most exciting scientific endeavours of the 21st century: to search for life beyond our own planet. © 2020, The authors received support from the sponsors of their home institutions during the development of their projects, particularly at the two institutes leading this effort: at IRAP, Toulouse, MB and NA acknowledge the support of CNRS, University Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and CNES. At CAB, Madrid, OPB and JGE acknowledge the support of INTA and Spanish MINECO project ESP2014-55811-C2-1-P and ESP2017-89053-C2-1-P and the AEI project MDM-2017-0737 Unidad de Excelencia "Maria de Maeztu". We would also like to extend special thanks to the PASO of CNES for its precious assistance and expertise in the design of the mission scenario.
- Published
- 2020