Use the Water: In-Situ Resource Technology on a Europa Lander
- Paper number
IAC-06-A3.P.06
- Author
Mr. Sanjoy Som, University of Washington, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Zachary Adam, University of Washington, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Michele Cash, University of Washington, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. John Kirkpatrick, University of Washington, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Steve Vance, University of Washington, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Jonathan Wrobel, University of Washington, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
A lander may be key to characterizing the organic material and salt content of Europa’s icy shell, and to the possibility of finding signs of life on the moon’s surface. Ubiquitous surface ice provides assured access to sample material and indigenous resources, enabling detailed characterization of Europa and its history through chemistry, seismology, coring, and burrowing probes. A harsh radiation environment and negligible atmosphere challenge a lander’s surface duration and deliverable payload size. These problems can be ameliorated through the following proposed inclusions. Reclaiming electrical and thermal energy from an onboard Radioisotope Thermal Generator’s (RTG) excess power production using surface ice can increase the science return of the above instrumentation on a Europa lander by boosting peak available power and shielding the craft’s electronics. The proposed system uses waste heat from the lander’s RTG to melt ice for analysis and for redistribution as a radiation shield to prolong the useful life of the mission. In addition, excess RTG power is used for electrolysis to produce gaseous molecular hydrogen and oxygen. These products can be used for generating combustible fuel and electrical power in conjunction with an onboard fuel cell.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A3.P.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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