Advanced Developments for Europa Lander and Other In-Situ Ocean World Missions
Abstract
Development of the recent Europa Lander mission concept identified several engineering challenges, particularly for de-orbit, descent, landing, and surface mission phases. NASA investments in numerous technologies addressing these challenges will help enable a future Europa lander and other in-situ ocean world exploration mission concepts. This paper provides descriptions, rationale, and current results for each of these key initiatives. For de-orbit, descent, and landing, development and testing of two lidar brassboards will mature a key sensor for autonomous hazard detection. Innovative landing leg and footpad concepts are needed to safely land on high-topographic-relief terrain and maintain stability throughout surface operations. Solid rocket propellant and ignition systems testing ensure performance in the harsh Europan radiation and thermal environment. A low-thrust throttleable engine is required to support landing a medium-mass lander on a low-gravity world. Once on the surface, cryogenic material excavation, sampling, and transfer techniques under vacuum are necessary to provide samples to analytic instruments. Autonomous surface operations enable the lander to complete mission objectives in the limited mission time necessitated by Europa's high radiation environment. The short duration of the baseline surface mission compels improvements in surface resource efficiency realized via a lightweight, low-power motor controller, high-specific-energy batteries, and a high-efficiency x-band antenna. Planetary protection challenges are addressed through metagenomic analysis and testing as well as an end-of-mission incineration system. Potential spacecraft material and thruster plume contamination in a high-radiation cryogenic environment needs to be characterized and mitigated. Completion of these initiatives substantially reduces the risk of implementing a future Europa lander. The results are also applicable to mission concepts proposed for other worlds with low-gravity, no-atmosphere, high-radiation, and/or cryogenic environments.
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E.190C