Exploring Europa
EXPLORING EUROPA
The next Europa mission, planned for launch sometime after 2009, is expected to carry high-resolution spectrometers to map the surface and determine the mineralogical and organic composition of the surface ice. In addition, radar sounding will be used to probe the subsurface from orbit in search of zones of liquid water. This will allow a more thorough test of the hypothesis of a subsurface ocean and help identify the best sites for surface exploration. If a subsurface ocean is in fact found, the next step could be to send robotic landers to search for biosignatures preserved in the ice. Eventually we may be able to deploy small "cryobots" that would melt their way through the ice, deploying minisubmarines to explore for signs of life or organic chemistry.