jupiter-europa cosmic vision meeting, london, nov 23-24, 2006 mssl/ucl uk towards a viable europa...

Jupiter-Europa Cosmic Vision Meeting, London, Nov 23-24, 2006 MSSL/UCL UK

Towards a Viable Europa PenetratorTowards a Viable Europa Penetrator

A. Smith, R. Gowen, A. Coates, etc – A. Smith, R. Gowen, A. Coates, etc – MSSL/UCLMSSL/UCL I. Crawford – I. Crawford – Birkbeck College LondonBirkbeck College London P. Church, R. Scott – P. Church, R. Scott – QinetiqQinetiqY. Gao, M.Sweeting – Y. Gao, M.Sweeting – Surrey Space Centre/SSTLSurrey Space Centre/SSTL T. Pike – T. Pike – Imperial CollegeImperial CollegeA. Ball – A. Ball – Open UniversityOpen UniversityJ. Flanagan – J. Flanagan – Southampton UniversitySouthampton University


ContentsContents

IntroductionIntroduction BackgroundBackground A New Start…A New Start… Science Science FeasibilityFeasibility CostCost Technology developmentsTechnology developments SummarySummary


IntroductionIntroduction

Problem: How to work towards a surface element proposal Problem: How to work towards a surface element proposal that has both scientific that has both scientific andand technical viability. technical viability.

Offer potential for unique science and ground truth to Offer potential for unique science and ground truth to complement a Europa orbiter.complement a Europa orbiter.

Here we consider Penetrator (vs passive impactor, soft Here we consider Penetrator (vs passive impactor, soft lander, etc).lander, etc).

We present some thoughts on technology, payload and We present some thoughts on technology, payload and cost issues that could be input to cost issues that could be input to an assessment study.an assessment study.


What Characterizes What Characterizes micro-penetrators ?micro-penetrators ?

Very low mass projectiles ~2-5Kg Very low mass projectiles ~2-5Kg (c.f. Lunar A 13.5Kg; DS-2 3.6Kg) (c.f. Lunar A 13.5Kg; DS-2 3.6Kg)

High impact speed ~ 200-300 m/sHigh impact speed ~ 200-300 m/s Very tough ~10,000geeVery tough ~10,000gee Penetrate surface ~ few metresPenetrate surface ~ few metres Perform initial important science on Perform initial important science on

planetary surfaceplanetary surface


Mullard Space Science LaboratoryMullard Space Science Laboratory

Part of University College LondonPart of University College London 140 Staff140 Staff In-house mechanical and electrical In-house mechanical and electrical

engineering design, manufacture and testengineering design, manufacture and test Provided hardware or calibration facilities for 17 Provided hardware or calibration facilities for 17

instruments on 12 spacecraft currently operatinginstruments on 12 spacecraft currently operating Provided stereo cameras for Beagle-2Provided stereo cameras for Beagle-2 Leading PanCam development for EXOMARSLeading PanCam development for EXOMARS

Hinode Launch22-9-06


Penetrator Penetrator ConsortiumConsortium

MSSLMSSL– Consortium lead, payload technologies, payload system designConsortium lead, payload technologies, payload system design

Birkbeck College LondonBirkbeck College London– ScienceScience

Imperial College London Imperial College London – SeismometersSeismometers

Open UniversityOpen University– Science and instrumentationScience and instrumentation

QinetiQQinetiQ– Impact technologies, delivery systems technologiesImpact technologies, delivery systems technologies

Southampton UniversitySouthampton University– Optical FibresOptical Fibres

Surrey Space Science Centre and SSTLSurrey Space Science Centre and SSTL– Platform technologies, delivery system technologiesPlatform technologies, delivery system technologies


A New StartA New Start An initial ESA technical study for a first Europa probe led to An initial ESA technical study for a first Europa probe led to

conclusion that there would be insufficient mass (~1Kg) to support a conclusion that there would be insufficient mass (~1Kg) to support a survivable probe, to perform significant science, and that any survivable probe, to perform significant science, and that any development costs would be excessive.development costs would be excessive.

A following ESA TRP Empie study, aimed at a second Europa A following ESA TRP Empie study, aimed at a second Europa mission, removed the mass limit resulting in a feasible (at a pre- mission, removed the mass limit resulting in a feasible (at a pre- Phase A level), 4 probe (1.7Kg each) system which are axially Phase A level), 4 probe (1.7Kg each) system which are axially oriented and decelerated with modest mass (20Kg).oriented and decelerated with modest mass (20Kg).

It is not clear that 20Kg is required for a first mission. For example a 2 It is not clear that 20Kg is required for a first mission. For example a 2 probe system around 15 Kg might be feasible if such mass were probe system around 15 Kg might be feasible if such mass were available.available.

There is a considerable body of evidence that There is a considerable body of evidence that realreal probes (well probes (well beyond pre-phase A level) impacting around 300 m/s with gee forces beyond pre-phase A level) impacting around 300 m/s with gee forces well in excess of 10kgee are survivable. well in excess of 10kgee are survivable.

A pre-cursor Lunar mission (~2010) (which could perform excellent A pre-cursor Lunar mission (~2010) (which could perform excellent science) would provide timely and cost effective technical science) would provide timely and cost effective technical developments, thereby reducing necessary Europa developments to a developments, thereby reducing necessary Europa developments to a delta level.delta level.


Europa Penetrator ‘Payload’ ScienceEuropa Penetrator ‘Payload’ Science Beeping TransmitterBeeping Transmitter - For Earth based VLBI determination of surface ice movement - For Earth based VLBI determination of surface ice movement

(deformation, seismic vibration)(deformation, seismic vibration) Micro-Seismometers/tilt-meterMicro-Seismometers/tilt-meter

- Detection of natural - Detection of natural (or impact)(or impact) seismic activity. seismic activity.- Presence and size of an under ice ocean. - Presence and size of an under ice ocean. - ‘cryo-tectonic’ activity- ‘cryo-tectonic’ activity

AccelerometerAccelerometer- Determination of ice characteristics and penetration depth.- Determination of ice characteristics and penetration depth.

Chemical SensorsChemical Sensors - Presence, extent, concentration of organics (possible life indicators).- Presence, extent, concentration of organics (possible life indicators). - Presence, extent and concentration of other chemical species- Presence, extent and concentration of other chemical species

(minerals, chirality, isotopic abundances ?)(minerals, chirality, isotopic abundances ?) Other sensors: Heat flow (melting depth, internal structure), micro-Other sensors: Heat flow (melting depth, internal structure), micro-

camera (descent, surface), magnetometer, radiation monitor, etc.camera (descent, surface), magnetometer, radiation monitor, etc.

=> Assess science value, sensitivity, resource requirements, likelihood of => Assess science value, sensitivity, resource requirements, likelihood of success c.f. other surface/orbit alternativessuccess c.f. other surface/orbit alternatives


Mars96 (Russia) failed to leave Earth orbit

DS2 (Mars) NASA 1999 ?

Planetary Penetrators - Planetary Penetrators - History

Japanese Lunar-Amuch delayed

Many paper studies and ground trials

No survivable high velocity impacting probe has been successfully landed on any extraterrestrial body

TRL 6


FeasibilityFeasibility There is no ‘history’ of failures of high There is no ‘history’ of failures of high

speed (~300m/s) planetary probes. speed (~300m/s) planetary probes. Has only ever been one planetary Has only ever been one planetary deployment - Mars Polar Orbiter DS2 deployment - Mars Polar Orbiter DS2 which failed alongside the soft lander.which failed alongside the soft lander.

Military have been successfully firing instrumented projectiles for many years to at Military have been successfully firing instrumented projectiles for many years to at least comparable levels of gee forces expected for Europa.least comparable levels of gee forces expected for Europa.Target materials mostly concrete and steel.Target materials mostly concrete and steel.

NASA and Japan have both developed penetrators and scientific instruments to NASA and Japan have both developed penetrators and scientific instruments to withstand such high gee forces to TRL 8. withstand such high gee forces to TRL 8. Lunar-A passed its final all-up impact test this summer and is now simply awaiting a Lunar-A passed its final all-up impact test this summer and is now simply awaiting a launch.launch.

Lunar-A or another Lunar technical demonstrator mission could provide first space Lunar-A or another Lunar technical demonstrator mission could provide first space demonstration in timescale useful to Europa mission.demonstration in timescale useful to Europa mission.

UK Penetrator consortium has plans to provide ground impact demonstration tests in UK Penetrator consortium has plans to provide ground impact demonstration tests in next 2 years.next 2 years.


Examples of electronic systemsExamples of electronic systems

Have designed and tested electronics Have designed and tested electronics for high-G applications:for high-G applications:

– Communication systemsCommunication systems 36 GHz antenna, receiver and 36 GHz antenna, receiver and

electronic fuze electronic fuze tested to 45 kgeetested to 45 kgee

– DataloggersDataloggers 8 channel, 1 MHz sampling rate 8 channel, 1 MHz sampling rate

tested to 60 kgeetested to 60 kgee

– MEMS devices (accelerometers, MEMS devices (accelerometers, gyros)gyros) Tested to 50 kgeeTested to 50 kgee

– MMIC devicesMMIC devices Tested to 20 kgeeTested to 20 kgee

– TRL 6TRL 6

MMIC chip tested to 20 kgeeMMIC chip tested to 20 kgee

Communication system and Communication system and electronic fuze tested to 45 kgeeelectronic fuze tested to 45 kgee


Targetting and Impact Site IssuesTargetting and Impact Site Issues Ability to impact at site of optimum scientific interest ?Ability to impact at site of optimum scientific interest ?

– To land anywhere will give a high degree of scientific return – surface composition To land anywhere will give a high degree of scientific return – surface composition and structural strength (also useful to follow on mission), seismometer and structural strength (also useful to follow on mission), seismometer determination of ice depth and event rates. Detection of organic chemicals will still determination of ice depth and event rates. Detection of organic chemicals will still be performed but not optimum.be performed but not optimum.

– Could optimise impact ellipse zone using existing imagery, or during Europa Could optimise impact ellipse zone using existing imagery, or during Europa approach and early orbit camera imagery with autonomous analysis to provide approach and early orbit camera imagery with autonomous analysis to provide landing coordinates within descent system capabilities.landing coordinates within descent system capabilities.

Ability to successfully penetrate rough surface ?Ability to successfully penetrate rough surface ?– Glancing impact angle could prevent penetration. Study and tests required for Glancing impact angle could prevent penetration. Study and tests required for

expected ice. expected ice. – Could optimise impact ellipse as above, but with criteria for surface Could optimise impact ellipse as above, but with criteria for surface

flatness/smoothness.flatness/smoothness.– Implement small pre-impact explosive to pre-smooth local entry surface. Defense Implement small pre-impact explosive to pre-smooth local entry surface. Defense

sector has experience of this technology which is reported to be reliable. sector has experience of this technology which is reported to be reliable. Disadvantage is possibility of chemical contamination of upper impact site which Disadvantage is possibility of chemical contamination of upper impact site which would complicate chemical sensing analysis.would complicate chemical sensing analysis.

Ability to survive non-perpendicular surface impact ?Ability to survive non-perpendicular surface impact ?– Lunar penetrator mission limits entry to within around 8Lunar penetrator mission limits entry to within around 8 of vertical, to limit of vertical, to limit

possibility of probe failure through excess probe sideways stresses.possibility of probe failure through excess probe sideways stresses.– Study required to determine if similar effects likely to exist for Europan ice, and to Study required to determine if similar effects likely to exist for Europan ice, and to

what degree.what degree.


CostCost NASA DS2 developments were characterised by ambitious NASA DS2 developments were characterised by ambitious

challenges and extensive iterations. Japanese developments were challenges and extensive iterations. Japanese developments were characterised by a lack of pre-existing military support base characterised by a lack of pre-existing military support base necessitating a great deal of impact survival development and necessitating a great deal of impact survival development and testing. testing.

UK defence sector exists with considerable experience including UK defence sector exists with considerable experience including both test facilities and highly predictive (hydrocode) modelling both test facilities and highly predictive (hydrocode) modelling capability which greatly reduces the need for extensive trials. capability which greatly reduces the need for extensive trials.

Proposed UK Lunar penetrator development (which will address Proposed UK Lunar penetrator development (which will address excellent science) will provide a significant reduction in cost for excellent science) will provide a significant reduction in cost for Europa. Europa.

Possibilities for further cost saving by collaboration and purchase of Possibilities for further cost saving by collaboration and purchase of existing technology.existing technology.


Technical Developments RequiredTechnical Developments RequiredStepwise developments: Terrestrial Stepwise developments: Terrestrial Lunar Lunar Europa Europa (very cold,(very cold,

high radiation, ice material)high radiation, ice material)

Penetrator Platform :-Penetrator Platform :-

(a) To Moon (a) To Moon – Define payload environmentDefine payload environment– Micro attitude controlMicro attitude control (orient to survive impact and ensure penetration) (orient to survive impact and ensure penetration) – Micro de-orbitingMicro de-orbiting (reduce speed to survivable level)(reduce speed to survivable level)– Spacecraft ejection mechanismSpacecraft ejection mechanism– Batteries Batteries (for long lifetime on surface)(for long lifetime on surface)– Penetrator Impact survivalPenetrator Impact survival (design, modelling, test, including electronics)(design, modelling, test, including electronics)

(b) Delta Developments for Europa (b) Delta Developments for Europa – Revise payload environmentRevise payload environment– Penetration survival Penetration survival (Already survive penetration into concrete and (Already survive penetration into concrete and

steel !)steel !)(See earlier slides regarding surface conditions)(See earlier slides regarding surface conditions)

– RHURHU (prevent batteries becoming too cold)(prevent batteries becoming too cold)– Communications Communications (penetrator <-> spacecraft through Europan ice?)(penetrator <-> spacecraft through Europan ice?)– Radiation hardRadiation hard (much higher radiation level the Moon)(much higher radiation level the Moon)


Technical Developments Required.Technical Developments Required.

Penetrator Payload :-Penetrator Payload :-

(a) To Moon (a) To Moon – SeismometerSeismometer (options, impact survival, sensitivity, operation)(options, impact survival, sensitivity, operation)– Chemical sensing (organic/astrobiology) (or access to existing technology).Chemical sensing (organic/astrobiology) (or access to existing technology).

(various options - impact survival, operation(various options - impact survival, operation

sensitivity)sensitivity)– Autonomy/data handlingAutonomy/data handling (affected by operations, comms)(affected by operations, comms)– Heat flowHeat flow (may also be useful on Europa)(may also be useful on Europa)– Descent CameraDescent Camera

(b) Delta developments for Europa(b) Delta developments for Europa– VLBI BeaconsVLBI Beacons (new to Europa)(new to Europa)– Radiation hardRadiation hard (much more radiation than Moon)(much more radiation than Moon)– Further options/developments…Further options/developments…


SummarySummary

• We have proposed a new start to include penetrators as a useful Europa surface element in an assessment study for the ESA Cosmic Visions Jupiter-Europa Mission.

• We have demonstrated the feasibility for many of the key elements, and identified technical developments that could be necessary to achieve others which either may not be accessible or yet sufficiently mature.

• The UK penetrator consortium and PPARC proposed Lunar penetrator mission could provide a useful and timely path to assist in the assessment process, and help reduce costs significantly.

• Naturally we would welcome international participation…


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jupiter-europa cosmic vision meeting, london, nov 23-24, 2006 mssl/ucl uk towards a viable europa...

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