Notional Concept of Operations and System Capability Definition for Enabling Scientific Ocean Access Missions on Icy Worlds
Abstract
In order to pursue the development of an overarching science-driven mission framework for a series of potential ocean worlds access missions, new robotic system capabilities will need to be established. One such capability under consideration is a cryobot capable of rapid penetration and scientific sampling of thick ice shells down to the ice-ocean interface where it would deliver an autonomous undersea explorer payload. We have advanced definition of this capability by considering end-to-end Ocean Worlds mission architectures and concepts of operations. We have assessed a number of critical challenges, including some that have been little studied to date. We will discuss an initial definition of a path forward to successfully develop viable solutions in the near term.
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019EPSC...13.1268F