Icy worlds
Laboratory activities
Simulating icy worlds like Enceladus and Europa is part of the new frontiers of planetary exploration. Our instrument facility could simulate, trough cryogenic experiment, the environment of various icy moons. Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy can support ocean world exploration both from remote sensing and in-situ observation. Study of survival of biomolecules in icy surfaces with heavy bombardment by UV and cosmic ray will help future missions in the search for organic compound and possibly biomarker of extraterrestrial life.
NASA Europa Clipper mission
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft will conduct a detailed survey of Jupiter's moon Europa to determine whether the icy moon could harbour conditions suitable for life. The spacecraft, in orbit around Jupiter, will make about 45 close passes over Europa, shifting its flight path for each flyby to soar over a different location so that it eventually scans nearly the entire moon.
After each flyby, the spacecraft will send its haul of data back to Earth. The time between flybys will also give scientists time to study the data and consider adjusting the timing and trajectory of future flybys if they find regions that spark curiosity and need more study.
Next to the orbiter mission NASA is developing Europa Lander, a concept for a potential future mission that would look for signs of life in the icy surface material of Jupiter's moon Europa.
