Since the Voyager probe flew by Jupiter and its satellite system in 1979, scientists have speculated about the possibility of life inside Europa. According to planetary models, Europa has rocky and metal cores, crust and geofunctions, and liquid oceans on the crust at depths of about 100-200 km.
Scientists speculate that the tidal effect of Jupiter's strong gravity causes the internal materials to squeeze, twist and rub against each other, heating the earth's functions, and forming an Earth-like submarine volcanic hydrothermal fountain at the junction with the ocean, and there may be a chance to evolve anaerobic ecosystems around the fountains that depend on this energy and chemicals.
Scientists have theorized that Europa has a geological structure, with a vast subsurface ocean beneath an icy crust and an opportunity to develop an Earth-like anaerobic ecosystem around an undersea volcanic hydrothermal fountain. （source：nasa）
Investigating Europa's potential habitability is the primary purpose of NASA's Europa speedboat mission, which launches on October 10, 2024, and arrives around Jupiter in April 2030. To investigate Europa's habitability, the Europa speedboat mission had three main objectives. It includes a description of the characteristics, composition, and oceanographic characteristics of the icy crust and groundwater, as well as the exchange of surface ice crust and marine material statesIdentification of all non-ice material components on the surface and in the atmosphere containing carbons;Describe geological surface features. Habitability depends on many mutual physical and chemical reaction processes, so the following instruments will combine multiple measurements.
Europa Imaging System (EIS) camera system, consisting of wide-angle and narrow-angle cameras, each with an eight-megapixel sensor, is used to capture Europa in high resolution**, to study geological activity, and to measure the height distribution of the earth's surface. There is also Europa's thermal imaging system (e-themis), which can identify areas on Europa's surface that may have warm liquid water, or where liquid water is being spewed, and measure the surface texture to understand the small-scale properties of the surface. Europa-UVS to confirm the composition of Europa's atmospheric gases and surface materials and to search for signs of jet activity near Europa. The Planetary Exploration Mass Spectrometer (MASPEX) will analyze the composition of matter in Europa's rarefied atmosphere and study the chemical composition of the subsurface oceans, how the oceans and surfaces exchange matter, and how cosmic rays alter the composition of compounds on the surface of the icy crust.
To probe the plasma and magnetic distribution around Europa, the Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) will confirm the presence of subsurface oceans, measure the salinity and depth of the oceans, measure the thickness of Europa's icy crust, and study how Europa's atmosphere interacts with Jupiter's ionosphere. The Plasma Magnetic Detector (PIMS) will measure Europa's ionosphere and plasma samples captured in Jupiter's magnetic field. It will also attempt to identify and distinguish between Jupiter's magnetic field and Europa's induced magnetic field, which carries information about the subterranean ocean. Gravity and radio science (GRS) instruments will measure the gravitational distribution of Europa's surface, study the curvature distribution of Europa's surface and reveal its internal structure. At the same time, the Ocean-Near-Surface Detection Radar (REASON) will probe Europa's icy crust, look for Europa's subsurface oceans, and study the structure and thickness of the ice crust. It will also study the height, composition and roughness of the ice-like surface, and look for evidence of jets in its atmosphere. Finally, Europa Mapping Imaging Spectroscopy (MISE) will perform chemical analyses to map the distribution of ice, salt, organic matter, and geological hotspots on Europa. The Surface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) will search for material debris carried by meteorite impact splashes and jets ejected from gaps in the ice shell. Further determine the chemical composition and site of these substances and provide detailed information on Europa's subsurface ocean salinity.
Scientists will learn all about Europa with the help of Europa clippers. All of this will provide the best information for future space missions. High-resolution** analysis of the surface will allow for the identification of the most scientifically relevant and safest landing sites. Understanding the thickness and composition of the ice crust will help to design special drill bits and design exploration drills specifically designed to penetrate the ice, even into the subsurface ocean.
Header image**: NASA).