Cadmus: a Europa lander concept

Abstract

The Cadmus mission responds to the need for a Europa surface exploration mission in the 2021 time frame that complements and extends the science performed by the Jupiter icy moons orbiter (JIMO) and Galileo spacecraft. Cadmus will help prepare for future subsurface and sample return missions. Europa is one of the most intriguing outer solar system planetary bodies due to the compelling evidence that an ocean of salty water exists approximately 20 km beneath the surface. This liquid water could make Europa a haven for life. The NASA Office of Space Science (OSS) has identified the search for life in the solar system and the resources necessary to support extraterrestrial life as an important area of study. The Cadmus mission investigates the habitability of Europa from the surface to determine the likelihood that life exists on the moon. By studying the crustal dynamics of the moon, the Cadmus mission assesses the extent to which a flux of water and ice exists between the possible subsurface ocean and the surface. Cadmus investigates the presence of nutrients and signs of energy resources in the crustal ice and also assesses the environmental suitability of the Europa environment to the evolution and sustainability of life. To reduce mission operations cost and complexity the mission architecture includes two landers that will land on the surface independently and utilize a high degree of autonomy.