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Jupiter in space agencies' sights Jupiter in space agencies' sights
(20 minutes later)
Nasa and the European Space Agency have decided to forge ahead with an ambitious plan to send a probe to the Jupiter system and its icy moon Europa.Nasa and the European Space Agency have decided to forge ahead with an ambitious plan to send a probe to the Jupiter system and its icy moon Europa.
The proposal could be the agencies' next "flagship" endeavour, to follow on from the successful Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system.The proposal could be the agencies' next "flagship" endeavour, to follow on from the successful Cassini-Huygens mission to the Saturn system.
Officials had been considering the Jupiter mission along with a venture to Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus.Officials had been considering the Jupiter mission along with a venture to Saturn's moons Titan and Enceladus.
They are targeting an earlier flight opportunity for the Europa mission.They are targeting an earlier flight opportunity for the Europa mission.
But Nasa and Esa will also plan for the potential mission to Saturn's moons.But Nasa and Esa will also plan for the potential mission to Saturn's moons.
The decision was made last week at a meeting in Washington DC.The decision was made last week at a meeting in Washington DC.
Scientists and engineers from the space agencies carefully studied both potential missions.Scientists and engineers from the space agencies carefully studied both potential missions.
They decided it was most technically feasible to do the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) first.They decided it was most technically feasible to do the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) first.
But Esa's Solar System Working Group decided that, based on scientific merit, there was little to separate this venture from the Titan Saturn System Mission.But Esa's Solar System Working Group decided that, based on scientific merit, there was little to separate this venture from the Titan Saturn System Mission.
They therefore recommended, with Nasa's agreement, that both missions move forward for further study and implementation.They therefore recommended, with Nasa's agreement, that both missions move forward for further study and implementation.
Ed Weiler, associate administrator for Nasa's science mission directorate in Washington DC, commented: "Although the Jupiter system mission has been chosen to proceed to an earlier flight opportunity, a Saturn system mission clearly remains a high priority for the science community."Ed Weiler, associate administrator for Nasa's science mission directorate in Washington DC, commented: "Although the Jupiter system mission has been chosen to proceed to an earlier flight opportunity, a Saturn system mission clearly remains a high priority for the science community."
The Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) proposes Nasa and Esa combine efforts in the Jovian system.The Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) proposes Nasa and Esa combine efforts in the Jovian system.
Major targets here would be the Galilean moons Europa and Ganymede. Scientists have long dreamt of visiting Europa with sophisticated instrumentation.Major targets here would be the Galilean moons Europa and Ganymede. Scientists have long dreamt of visiting Europa with sophisticated instrumentation.
The icy moon's crack-riven surface is also thought to hide a sub-surface ocean. Researchers would love to get close enough to start assessing the habitability of this strange world.The icy moon's crack-riven surface is also thought to hide a sub-surface ocean. Researchers would love to get close enough to start assessing the habitability of this strange world.
The EJSM team suggests the US and Europe both send orbiters. Nasa would despatch the Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO); Esa would send the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO).The EJSM team suggests the US and Europe both send orbiters. Nasa would despatch the Jupiter Europa Orbiter (JEO); Esa would send the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter (JGO).
The two spacecraft would occasionally conduct joint observations but only Nasa's probe would spend time around Europa - which is known to have a severe radiation environment. The spacecraft will need specialised shielding to protect sensitive electronic systems.The two spacecraft would occasionally conduct joint observations but only Nasa's probe would spend time around Europa - which is known to have a severe radiation environment. The spacecraft will need specialised shielding to protect sensitive electronic systems.
The JEO and JGO would end their missions by crashing into their respective moons.The JEO and JGO would end their missions by crashing into their respective moons.
"It's a double integrated mission," said Michel Blanc, from the CESR (Centre d'Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements) in France.
"What we want to do with two platforms is to contemplate the Jupiter system as a whole - each platform looking at specific objects; and the two platforms looking at the same objects from two different persepctives."
On the subject of the Galilean satellites, Dr Blanc told BBC News: "They are fascinating. They are coupled; they are in resonance.
"While Ganymede is doing one turn around Jupiter, Europa is doing two turns; and Io is doing four orbits. And in this motion they keep eccentricity; they excite each other. And there is a lot of tidal interaction which heats the internal bodies of those satellites."
British scientists and engineers will look to play key roles on the European aspects of the venture.
One group will put forward the idea of firing darts, or penetrators, at the icy surface of Europa to "taste" its chemistry.
The UK Penetrators Consortium, led from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, is working on a proposal that would see instrumented probes dropped into the dusty surface of Earth's moon.
But the researchers believe the technology could just as easily be deployed into a Jovian satellite.
"It allows you, for example, to implant a seismometer under the surface; or to do some simple organic chemical analysis," explained Dr Andrew Coates from MSSL.
Other small sensors could determine the temperature of the sub-surface, its mechanical properties and detect any movement; they could also probe the minerals present and assess the local magnetic and radiation fields.
Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukPaul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk