NASA is continuing its travel mission of trying to find places elsewhere in space that could be habitable for life like we have on Earth, and will be using some special science tools to study Jupiter’s moon, Europa. NASA plans to send out a spacecraft with these special science tools to learn if Europa could possibly be habitable. After considering numerous projects and taking everything into consideration, these instruments have been chosen as those that will provide the best information that NASA is looking for in its next mission to Europa.
Nine Special Science Tools to Be Used to Take a Look at Europa
NASA will be sending these nine special science tools to travel to Europa to take a look at the moon and carry out experiments:
1. Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) – This example of the special science tools is designed to measure how thick the ice on top of Europa’s ocean is and check the saltiness and how deep the ocean is, as the ice is possibly up to 10 kilometers thick.
2. Interior Characterization of Europa using Magnetometry (ICEMAG) – This example of the special science tools measures the magnetic field on Europa along with the PIMS. It uses multi-frequency electromagnetic sounding, and helps to determine the saltiness, locations and thickness of Europa’s ocean.
3. Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) – This tool will do a probe of the makeup of Europa, as well as determine the moon’s dispersal of materials such as organics, ice, salt, and acid hydrates to help figure out the habitability of Europa.
4. Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) – Does testing on Europa’s ice crust.
5. Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) – detects heat and does thermal imaging of Europa.
6. MAss SPectrometer for Planetary EXploration/Europa (MASPEX) – Measures Europa’s atmosphere and gets information on any materials thrown out into space.
7. Ultraviolet Spectrograph/Europa (UVS) – Studies the atmosphere of Europa and looks for water plumes.
8. SUrface Dust Mass Analyzer (SUDA) – Measures any particles expelled from the surface of Europa.
9. Europa Imaging System (EIS) – Maps out Europa at a 50-meter resolution and also takes pictures of its surface.
The special science tools will make the study of Europa easier and more productive in NASA’s quest to travel in space to find habitable worlds.
