Recommendations for Addressing Priority Io Science in the Next Decade
spacecraft
decadal survey
Io
White paper
Galilean satellites
01 natural sciences
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
DOI:
10.3847/25c2cfeb.3de45b59
Publication Date:
2021-05-27T18:24:57Z
AUTHORS (84)
ABSTRACT
Io is a priority destination for solar system exploration, as it the best natural laboratory to study intertwined processes of tidal heating, extreme volcanism, and atmospheremagnetosphere interactions.Io exploration relevant understanding terrestrial planets moons (including early Earth), ocean worlds, exoplanets across cosmos.The scope importance science questions at necessitates broad portfolio research analysis, telescopic observations, planetary missions-including dedicated New Frontiers class mission.Recommendation 1: We strongly recommend mission next decade.As outlined in companion white paper, The Science Case Io, future exploration.There much that can only be learned through detailed situ measurements observations from mission.Even nextgeneration telescopes come online, we are unlikely achieve spatial resolutions better than tens kilometers, cannot make Io's poles or night hemisphere.There also entire suites which simply not possible without visiting Io-like measuring gravity magnetic fields, sampling its plumes atmosphere.Furthermore, coming decade timely, would enhance return current Jupiter-system missions (Juno, Europa Clipper, JUICE), enabling true contemporaneous investigations orbital evolution Jovian system.A could inform guide forthcoming exoplanet with next-generation telescopes, our origins life implications Earth tidally heated worlds like Europa, Enceladus, Titan.Box 1 outlines notional concept plausibly address all Priority Questions Io.This "Io Observer" an amalgam multiple different concepts, ideas, proposals [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] .While highlight one particular encourage decadal survey allow flexibility implementation.The past characterized by selections exemplify how new, innovative, bold ideas have power transform field (e.g., Dragonfly 17 ).A Jupiterorbiting, multiple-flyby, Observer may prevailing approach this time, but out-of-thebox concepts capable addressing preponderance Questions, including orbiters, landers, impactors, distant observers.The cost Box requires (see Recommendation 2).Io previously targeted either Discovery program 1,3,7,10,12,15 2,6,8-9,13-14 , sporadic discussion Flagship 4-5 .Io regimes; question is: what trade between cost?Discovery tend focus on subset (consistent program, generally investigations).New potential fully realize cross-cutting Io.Flagship completely unrealistic given other priorities science.Based implementation challenges, consider program-consistent surveys, midterm reports, reports Committee Astrobiology Planetary [18][19][20] .Put simply, offers caliber science.At time writing report, NASA evaluating proposed Io: Volcano (IVO) 15 .Owing ongoing competition, refrain discussing
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Coming soon ....
REFERENCES (0)
CITATIONS (0)
EXTERNAL LINKS
PlumX Metrics
RECOMMENDATIONS
FAIR ASSESSMENT
Coming soon ....
JUPYTER LAB
Coming soon ....