Nasa Wants Ideas for Mission to Jupiter's Icy Moon Europa

Just about a month ago the attention was on Encelladus, exploring its subsurface ocean to find life. Now the momentum for a Europa mission seems to be at the forefronmt as NASA is seeking proposals for how to do a Europa mission that's cost effecient.

"Europa is one of the most interesting sites in our solar system in the search for life beyond Earth," Grunsfeld added. "The drive to explore Europa has stimulated not only scientific interest but also the ingenuity of engineers and scientists with innovative concepts."

The deadline to submit ideas under the RFI is May 30, officials said.

Pretty exiciting. If this mission is launched in the right timeframe of the 2020's , it might even get there around the time of Europe's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer mission. Truly exciting times. What says ATS?

www.space.com...

I am perplexed this has had no interest, maybe it was flooded by all the current "news". I dont know, maybe everyone is focused on Mars rocks?. Cool find (or PR, I'm cynical to that respect), I hope the mission goes well for you... I mean NASA.

originally posted by: RifRAAF
I am perplexed this has had no interest, maybe it was flooded by all the current "news". I dont know, maybe everyone is focused on Mars rocks?. Cool find (or PR, I'm cynical to that respect), I hope the mission goes well for you... I mean NASA.

Thanks! I try to keep ATS informed.

a reply to: lostbook

That timeframe is a little before what NASA gave for its plans to do moon missions in preparation for Mars missions and asteroid missions.--www.abovetopsecret.com...

The coming years could be really exciting.

originally posted by: Chamberf=6
a reply to: lostbook

That timeframe is a little before what NASA gave for its plans to do moon missions in preparation for Mars missions and asteroid missions.--www.abovetopsecret.com...

The coming years could be really exciting.

Yes. It's a technological information overload right now: Space tourism, Bitcion currency transactions in Space, 3D printing for food and/ or off world living, Mars colonies, Exoplanet discoveries, off world water discoveries, etc Whew! All we need now is a breakthrough in Space propulsion and then we can really make waves.

originally posted by: lostbook
Just about a month ago the attention was on Encelladus, exploring its subsurface ocean to find life. Now the momentum for a Europa mission seems to be at the forefronmt as NASA is seeking proposals for how to do a Europa mission that's cost effecient.

"Europa is one of the most interesting sites in our solar system in the search for life beyond Earth," Grunsfeld added. "The drive to explore Europa has stimulated not only scientific interest but also the ingenuity of engineers and scientists with innovative concepts."

The deadline to submit ideas under the RFI is May 30, officials said.

Pretty exiciting. If this mission is launched in the right timeframe of the 2020's , it might even get there around the time of Europe's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer mission. Truly exciting times. What says ATS?

www.space.com...

I filed my proposal for a sample return mission which would make multiple orbits through Europa's South Pole Water Geysers.

The mission would be designed in such a way that the sample return vehicle would need very little fuel because it would use the gravity of Jupiter to slingshot accelerate it towards the Earth for a fast sample return. The only fuel needed would be to leave Europa for Jupiter flyby insertion and deceleration to enter Low Earth Orbit where the samples would be retrieved by the International Space Station crew.

a reply to: JadeStar

ALL THESE WORLDS
ARE YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO
LANDING THERE
USE THEM TOGETHER
USE THEM IN PEACE


although I guess an orbit or a fly-by are OK...

originally posted by: JadeStar

originally posted by: lostbook
Just about a month ago the attention was on Encelladus, exploring its subsurface ocean to find life. Now the momentum for a Europa mission seems to be at the forefronmt as NASA is seeking proposals for how to do a Europa mission that's cost effecient.

I filed my proposal for a sample return mission which would make multiple orbits through Europa's South Pole Water Geysers.

The mission would be designed in such a way that the sample return vehicle would need very little fuel because it would use the gravity of Jupiter to slingshot accelerate it towards the Earth for a fast sample return. The only fuel needed would be to leave Europa for Jupiter flyby insertion and deceleration to enter Low Earth Orbit where the samples would be retrieved by the International Space Station crew.

Cool, jade. Let us know if you get approved. How would I apply if I wanted to?

"OK I want 4 scuba-diver-astronauts in this rocket in 6 years on it's way to Europa."

a reply to: lostbook

Keep us updated, Jade. On a side note, how would I apply?

originally posted by: Aleister
a reply to: JadeStar

ALL THESE WORLDS
ARE YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO
LANDING THERE
USE THEM TOGETHER
USE THEM IN PEACE


although I guess an orbit or a fly-by are OK...

Well done 2010 reference!

Star for you

originally posted by: lostbook
a reply to: lostbook

Keep us updated, Jade.

Here are some updates:

www.thespacereview.com...
sci.esa.int...

originally posted by: lostbook

On a side note, how would I apply?

I don't know.

The mission profile proposal I talked about was part of a project I did as part of a summer program at NASA Ames which some students from UW and I as well other universities participated a couple summers ago.

Its doubtful our proposal would get approved due to the added weight of the return vehicle due to the radiation shielding needed to preserve the samples.

I suppose they could send an unshielded sample return vehicle but that would be a missed opportunity since the radiation around Jupiter will sterilize any potential critters and break down organics in the samples.


Here's more on JUICE from a SETI Institute Google Hangout:

I thought awhile back, NASA shut down it's doors to the whole thing! Now we have Mars One going and others following along as NASA moved out of the way.

Now NASA wants to go Way Out There? How so? Since the Mars program is being done by others, I would have to say NASA wants a Free Ride now? Smart if one thinks about it, allow other corp's to do all the hard work and come up with going the extra Mile to a Moon only using a probe of course!

It looks to me NASA lost out thinking no one actually Wanted to go to Mars so tossed it out there and it was taken up so fast by others. NASA Has to Save Face. Since who can actually really Believe Anything they say? Chop here, air brush there and we still wonder if They even Were On The Moon!

Just tossing my thoughts on the matter. Hate to see some other corp go doing what NASA could have done and now plan on using someones elses work to be covered up, hidden and played off like nothing ever Happened!

Peace

originally posted by: infoseeker26754
I thought awhile back, NASA shut down it's doors to the whole thing! Now we have Mars One going and others following along as NASA moved out of the way.

Now NASA wants to go Way Out There? How so?

The budget for the mission was increased.

Wired.com: Europa Mission Gets Boost From President’s New NASA Budget

03.04.14

A dedicated mission to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, one of the best bets for life beyond Earth in our solar system, has inched a little closer to reality today.

The Obama Administration’s 2015 NASA budget request (.pdf) asks for $17.5 billion for the agency, a slight drop from last year and more than a billion less than its 2010 peak of $18.7 billion. The request represents the things that the White House would like to see NASA pursue and includes funding for “pre-formulation work” on a mission that would fly by Europa, make detailed observations, and perhaps sample its interior ocean. Far bigger chunks of the budget are allocated to the development of a new manned spacecraft called Orion, the James Webb Space Telescope, successor to Hubble, and an extension of the International Space Station’s lifespan to 2024.

“Clearly this is a statement by NASA that they recognize the priority and excitement of Europa exploration,” said geologist Robert Pappalardo of JPL. It’s the first time the White House has mentioned a Europa mission in its budget.

a reply to: JadeStar

I read the articles you provided, Jade and it leaves me somewhat hopeful this time that it will really happen. I've gotten my hopes up in the past for NASA missions only to have those hopes dashed once those missions were cancelled. Hopefully, competition from China and private entities gets NASA back on track this time.

originally posted by: lostbook
a reply to: JadeStar

I read the articles you provided, Jade and it leaves me somewhat hopeful this time that it will really happen. I've gotten my hopes up in the past for NASA missions only to have those hopes dashed once those missions were cancelled. Hopefully, competition from China and private entities gets NASA back on track this time.

Europa has been quietly getting a lot of attention since the discovery of those water geysers. I think it's probably going to happen. We've not sent anything to the outer solar system since the launch of New Horizons (which arrives near Pluto next year).

We should remember that these missions are really funded by us, the public. Why not vest the public a little bit in being able to investigate anomalies found while there? Look at all the interesting objects found on mars, which in all likelihood are rocks, but some certainly don't look like them.

Perhaps one week out of a year, the public votes on investigating anomalies seen during the mission, and NASA takes the rover to the place with the most votes. Sure would be a lot more fun for all of us, and some real good PR for NASA as well.

originally posted by: charlyv
We should remember that these missions are really funded by us, the public. Why not vest the public a little bit in being able to investigate anomalies found while there? Look at all the interesting objects found on mars, which in all likelihood are rocks, but some certainly don't look like them.

Perhaps one week out of a year, the public votes on investigating anomalies seen during the mission, and NASA takes the rover to the place with the most votes. Sure would be a lot more fun for all of us, and some real good PR for NASA as well.

I don't understand this obsession with "anomalies". Surely it's up to the professionals and people knowlegeable in their respective areas to call out anything anomalous and call for further research. "Ooh, that rock looks funny, let's stop the multi-million dollar research and take some pics and poke that rock some more."

Should the public also have a say in matters of medical treatment and defence?

They are being funded by the government, to do their job which they are experts in. It's not a job for the public.

I've long been fascinated by what's lurking under Europa's crust, so I hope this mission goes ahead.

My idea: take a big cool bag and bring back some extraterrestrial ice to sell to billionaires for their cocktails. They could probably recoup their costs

originally posted by: charlyv
We should remember that these missions are really funded by us, the public. Why not vest the public a little bit in being able to investigate anomalies found while there? Look at all the interesting objects found on mars, which in all likelihood are rocks, but some certainly don't look like them.

Perhaps one week out of a year, the public votes on investigating anomalies seen during the mission, and NASA takes the rover to the place with the most votes. Sure would be a lot more fun for all of us, and some real good PR for NASA as well.

Because space science doesn't work like Big Brother.

Most people wouldn't have a clue what they're looking at because basic science education is poor in a lot of the country. You'd be asking for billion dollar spacecraft to be turned over to the 'wisdom' of idiots.