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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2010

Lev Zelenyi ,
Oleg Korablev ,
Elena Vorobyova ,
Maxim Martynov ,
Efraim L. Akim  and
Alexander Zakahrov
Lev Zelenyi
Affiliation:
Space Research Institute (IKI), Moscow, Russia, Fax: +7 495 3331248
Oleg Korablev
Affiliation:
IKI email: korab@iki.rssi.ru
Elena Vorobyova
Affiliation:
Space Research Institute (IKI), Moscow, Russia, Fax: +7 495 3331248 IKI email: korab@iki.rssi.ru
Maxim Martynov
Affiliation:
Lavochkin Assosiation, Russia
Efraim L. Akim
Affiliation:
Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russia
Alexander Zakahrov
Affiliation:
Space Research Institute (IKI), Moscow, Russia, Fax: +7 495 3331248
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Abstract

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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.

Keywords

EuropaJupiterGalilean satelliteshabitabilityspace research
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 6 , Symposium S269: Galileo's Medicean Moons: their impact on 400 years of discovery , January 2010 , pp. 115 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2010

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