Project Galileo: final mission status
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Galileo Jupiter Europa flyby↗
SEARCH · Search NASA
Results for “Galileo Jupiter Europa flyby”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
The Plasma Wave Environment of Europa
The Galileo spacecraft has executed nine close flybys of Jupiter's moon Europa for which plasma wave observations were obtained. This paper presents an analysis of the observations from these flybys taking into consideration the variable geometry of the trajectories in an attempt to characterize the general plasma-wave environment associated with the interaction of the Jovian magnetosphere with the moon. A wide variety of plasma-wave phenomena are found to be associated with this interaction. While there are apparently temporal variations which complicate the analysis, a crude model of the distribution of these phenomena around Europa is derived. Primarily on the upstream side of Europa, and working inward to the moon, electron-cyclotron harmonics are first observed, followed by a region within about two Europa radii of the moon with whistler-mode hiss or chorus, and culminating in a region closest to the moon where a band at the upper hybrid resonance frequency is sometimes enhanced over its ambient intensity. The wake region is approximately two Europa radii across and comprises a broadband, highly variable, and bursty electrostatic phenomenon. Upon closer inspection, these bursty emissions appear as solitary structures similar to those in Earth's auroral zone and plasma sheet boundary layer. In addition to the survey of wave phenomena in the vicinity of Europa, we provide density profiles derived primarily from the upper hybrid resonance frequency which is readily apparent throughout most of each of the flybys. Finally, we suggest that the whistler mode, electron cyclotron harmonic, and upper hybrid resonance emissions are driven by some combination of factors including variations in the magnetic field near Europa and the loss and production of plasma at Europa as a result of the interaction of the Jovian magnetosphere with the moon. By analogy with studies of the ion and electron holes and broadband electrostatic noise at Earth and Jupiter, we argue that the electrostatic solitary structures in the wake are associated with currents and beams coupling Europa to Jupiter's ionosphere.
Kurth, W. S.↗
Galileo Outreach Compilation
This NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) video production is a compilation of the best short movies and computer simulation/animations of the Galileo spacecraft's journey to Jupiter. A limited number of actual shots are presented of Jupiter and its natural satellites. Most of the video is comprised of computer animations of the spacecraft's trajectory, encounters with the Galilean satellites Io, Europa and Ganymede, as well as their atmospheric and surface structures. Computer animations of plasma wave observations of Ganymede's magnetosphere, a surface gravity map of Io, the Galileo/Io flyby, the Galileo space probe orbit insertion around Jupiter, and actual shots of Jupiter's Great Red Spot are presented. Panoramic views of our Earth (from orbit) and moon (from orbit) as seen from Galileo as well as actual footage of the Space Shuttle/Galileo liftoff and Galileo's space probe separation are also included.
Source record↗
The GIRE2 Model and Its Application to the Europa Mission
We present an empirical model of Jupiter's electron radiation environment and its application to the design of the future NASA mission to Europa. The model is based on data from the Galileo spacecraft. Measurements of the high-energy, omni-directional electrons from the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) and magnetic field from the Magnetometer (MAG) onboard Galileo are used for this purpose. Ten-minute averages of the EPD data are used to provide an omni-directional electron flux spectrum at 0.238, 0.416, 0.706, 1.5, 2.0, and 11.0 MeV. Additionally, data from the Geiger Tube Telescope onboard Pioneer 10 and 11 are used to calculate the flux of 31 MeV electrons. The Galileo Interim Radiation Electron model v.2 (GIRE2) combines these datasets with the original Divine model and synchrotron observations to estimate the trapped electron radiation environment. Unlike the original Divine model, which was based on flybys of the Voyager and Pioneer spacecraft, the new GIRE2 model covers about 7 years of data and more than 30 orbits around Jupiter from the Galileo spacecraft. The model represents a step forward in the study of the Jovian radiation environment and is a valuable tool to assist in the design of future missions to Jupiter. This paper gives an overview of GIRE2 and focuses on its application to the design of the future NASA mission to Europa. The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and perform multiple flybys of the moon Europa, which is embedded in the middle of a very strong radiation environment. The radiation environment surrounding the moon as well as along the trajectory are described in the paper together with the implications of this environment on the design of a mission.
De Soria-Santacruz Pich, Maria↗
Navigational Challenges for a Europa Flyby Mission
Jupiter's moon Europa is a prime candidate in the search for present-day habitable environments outside of the Earth. A number of missions have provided increasingly detailed images of the complex surface of Europa, including the Galileo mission, which also carried instruments that allowed for a limited investigation of the environment of Europa. A new mission to Europa is needed to pursue these exciting discoveries using close-up observations with modern instrumentation designed to address the habitability of Europa. In all likelihood the most cost effective way of doing this would be with a spacecraft carrying a comprehensive suite of instruments and performing multiple flybys of Europa. A number of notional trajectory designs have been investigated, utilizing gravity assists from other Galilean moons to decrease the period of the orbit and shape it in order to provide a globally distributed coverage of different regions of Europa. Navigation analyses are being performed on these candidate trajectories to assess the total Delta V that would be needed to complete the mission, to study how accurately the flybys could be executed, and to determine which assumptions most significantly affect the performance of the navigation system.
tour↗
Discovery of Soft X-Ray Emission from Io, Europa and the Io Plasma Torus
The Chandra X-ray Observatory observed the Jovian system for about 24 hours on 25-26 Nov 1999 with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), in support of the Galileo flyby of Io, and for about 10 hours on 18 Dec 2000 with the imaging array of the High Resolution Camera (HRC-I), in support of the Cassini flyby of Jupiter. Analysis of these data have revealed soft (0.25--2 keV) x-ray emission from the moons Io and Europa, probably Ganymede, and from the Io Plasma Torus (IPT). Bombardment by energetic (greater than 10 keV) H, O, and S ions from the region of the IPT seems the likely source of the x-ray emission from the Galilean moons. According to our estimates, fluorescent x-ray emission excited by solar x-rays is about an order of magnitude too weak even during flares from the active Sun to account for the observed x-ray flux from the IPT. Charge-exchange processes, previously invoked to explain Jupiter's x-ray aurora and cometary x-ray emission, and ion stripping by dust grains both fall by orders of magnitude. On the other hand, we calculate that bremsstrahlung emission of soft X-rays from non-thermal electrons in the few hundred to few thousand eV range accounts for roughly one third of the observed x-ray flux from the IPT. Extension of the far ultraviolet (FUV) IPT spectrum likely also contributes.
Elsner, R. F.↗
Galileo trajectory design
The trajectory design of the Galileo spacecraft is examined. The Galileo spacecraft was launched on a six-year long trip to Jupiter in October 1989. A new Venus-Earth-Earth-Gravity Assist (VEEGA) trajectory mode is being used for the transfer to Jupiter and involves two phasing orbits around the sun and gravity-assist flybys with Venus. The aggregate delta V acquired from these flybys is 18.3 km/s. The interplanetary trajectory includes a close flyby of asteroid 951-Gaspra in October 1991 and a possible flyby of 243-Ida in August 1993. After arrival at Jupiter in December 1995, the previously released Galileo atmospheric probe will relay data to earth via the Galileo Orbiter. The orbital phase of the mission will involve 10 orbits of Jupiter over a 22 month period. In this phase the Orbiter will use repeated gravity-assisted flybys of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto during which Jupiter, its magnetosphere and the Galilean satellites will be investigated. The mission is scheduled to end in October 1997.
D'Amario, Louis A.↗
Project Galileo: surviving Io, meeting Cassini
Galileo has completed the long awaited Io flybys of the Galileo Europa Mission and the Galileo Millennium Mission, and is now pumping up its apojove in each succeeding orbit in preparation for the chance to perform a dual spacecraft observation of the Jupiter System.
Galileo↗
On Europa's Magnetospheric Interaction: A MHD Simulation of the E4 Flyby
The global three-dimensional interaction of Europa with the Jovian magnetosphere is modeled by using a complete set of ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The model accounts for exospheric mass loading, ion-neutral charge exchange, recombination, and a possible intrinsic dipole magnetic field of Europa. The single-fluid MHD equations are solved by using a modem, finite volume, higher-order, Godunov-type method on an adoptively refined unstructured grid, which allows detailed modeling of the region near Europa while still resolving both the upstream region and the satellite's wake. The magnetic field and plasma density measured during Galileo's EGA flyby of December 19, 1996, are reproduced reasonably well in the simulation. We find the agreement between the data and our model particularly convincing if we assume that the plasma velocity during the EGA flyby deviated from the nominal corotation direction by approximately 20 deg. Evidence from the Galileo energetic particle detector also supports this assumption. In this case, we can fit the data using a dipole with orientation close to that of an induced dipole arising from the interaction of a hypothetical conducting subsurface layer on Europa with the periodically changing magnetic field of Jupiter. However, the magnitude of the dipole in our model is somewhat smaller (70%) than that suggested by Khurana et al. The total mass loading and ion-neutral charge exchange rates are consistent with the estimates of Europa's atmosphere and ionosphere.
Kabin, K.↗
Studies of Tenuous Planetary Atmospheres
The final report includes an overall project overview as well as scientific background summaries of dust and sodium in comets, and tenuous atmospheres of Jupiter's natural satellites. Progress and continuing work related to dust coma and tenuous atmospheric studies are presented. Also included are published articles written during the course of the report period. These are entitled: (1) On Europa's Magnetospheric Interaction: An MHD Simulation; (2) Dust-Gas Interrelations in Comets: Observations and Theory; and (3) Io's Plasma Environment During the Galileo Flyby: Global Three Dimensional MHD Modeling with Adaptive Mesh Refinement.
Combi, Michael R.↗
Galilean satellite tour orbit determination assessment
Results are given which demonstrate the ability of the orbit determination system to satisfy accuracy requirements in support of the Galileo Project's planned tour of Jupiter's satellites. The results are derived through the application of mission operation strategies and assumptions. It is shown that the achievement of the requisite orbit determination accuracies is predicated on the availability of optical navigation data. It is further demonstrated that the unavailability of tour optical navigation data yields not only degraded orbit determination accuracies which fail to meet propellant budget and science instrument pointing requirements, but also produces, for the planned 200 km flyby of Europa, an approximate 0.02 risk of having the spacecraft collide with the satellite.
Moultrie, B.↗
A Determination of the Source of Jovian Hectometric Radiation via Occultation by Ganymede
During the first Galileo flyby of Ganymede, Jovian radio emissions in the frequency range of 700 kHz to 5.6 MHz were completely occulted by the satellite. We take advantage of this serendipitous observation to determine the location of the radio emission source relative to Jupiter. The evidence suggests that the apparent source is along an L greater than or approximately equal to 7 magnetic field line near the central meridian longitude (approximately 160 deg) of the spacecraft and at 1 to 3 Jovian radii above the northern hemisphere of Jupiter. These results are consistent with a source located along either the Ganymede or Europa flux tube.
Kurth, W. S.↗
Mass Spectrometers in Deep Space Missions
Mass spectrometers have been included in the payloads of several deep space missions over the past three decades. Our laboratory has designed and developed mass spectrometers for the Galileo Probe into the atmosphere of Jupiter, the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, the Cassini Orbiter Mission to Saturn, the Cassini/Huygens Probe Mission to Saturn's moon Titan, the Nozomi Mission to Mars, and most recently the CONTOUR comet nucleus flyby mission. Each mission has required attention to miniaturization, autonomous sampling, and consideration of the special hazards and measurement requirements of the target environment. Development ongoing in our laboratory includes further miniaturization, improved performance in the areas of sensitivity and precision for the important isotope measurements, and adaptation for the unusual environments to be encountered in locations such as the surface or subsurface of Europa or Mars. Various aspects of both the technical implementation of these delivered and planned experiments and the science drivers will be described.
Mahaffy, Paul↗
Two-Species, 3D, MHD Simulation of Europa's Interaction with Jupiter's Magnetosphere
The interaction of Europa with the Jovian a magnetosphere has been studied by using a two species in ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical model. This model considers the upstream plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere and the molecular oxygen ions in the ionosphere of Europa, separately. We present results a from simulation studies, which take into account impact ionization, recombination, and the effect of a possible induced dipole magnetic field of Europa. The total mass loading of the magnetospheric flow and the ionization frequency used in the model are consistent with the estimates of Europa's ionosphere and atmosphere. The multi-species MHD equations are solved by using a finite volume, high-order, Godunov-type method on an adoptively refined unstructured grid, which allows a detailed modeling of the region near Europa's surface, while still resolving both the upstream region and the satellite's wake. We have paid special attention to the wake of Europa, in order to be able to make comparisons with the Galileo's E4 flyby observations, as well as other model calculations. The calculated escape flux of a O2+ down the tail was found to be about 5.6 x 10(exp 25) s(sup -1).
Liu, Yifan↗
Internal Electrostatic Discharge Tests of Micro-D Connectors for Planned Europa Mission
NASA has planned a mission to study Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The mission would place a spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter, performing nominally 45 flybys of the moon. The suite of instruments onboard the spacecraft would investigate Europa’s potential to sustain life, studying the moon’s atmosphere, water-ice crust, suspected subsurface ocean, and rocky interior. The radiation environment at Europa’s orbit is severe and presents a significant threat to the spacecraft. There are several radiation effects that could be problematic, one of which is internal charging. Problems due to internal charging arise when high energy electrons penetrate the spacecraft and deposit within onboard dielectrics or floating metals. These charges can build up over time, generating electric fields that exceed the breakdown strength of materials in the region. A rapid discharge of the stored charges may occur, sending current pulses into electronics and potentially damaging them. An Internal Electrostatic Discharge (IESD) design environment was created for the planned Europa mission [Kim et al, in press]. The IESD design environment is meant to characterize the part of the radiation environment that poses the largest threat to the spacecraft with respect to internal charging. The environment was based off of electron data gathered by the Galileo spacecraft. Over the past year, the internal charging threat to several hardware components of the planned Europa Clipper spacecraft have been characterized using simulations and/or tests. The subject report documents one such test on Micro-D connectors.
Smithfield, Marianne↗
Grid2: A Program for Rapid Estimation of the Jovian Radiation Environment: A Numeric Implementation of the GIRE2 Jovian Radiation Model for Estimating Trapped Radiation for Mission Concept Studies
Grid2 is a program that utilizes the Galileo Interim Radiation Electron model 2 (GIRE2) Jovian radiation model to compute fluences and doses for Jupiter missions. (Note: The iterations of these two softwares have been GIRE and GIRE2; likewise Grid and Grid2.) While GIRE2 is an important improvement over the original GIRE radiation model, the GIRE2 model can take as long as a day or more to compute these quantities for a complete mission. Grid2 fits the results of the detailed GIRE2 code with a set of grids in local time and position thereby greatly speeding up the execution of the model--minutes as opposed to days. The Grid2 model covers the time period from 1971 to 2050and distances of 1.03 to 30 Jovian diameters (Rj). It is available as a direct-access database through a FORTRAN interface program. The new database is only slightly larger than the original grid version: 1.5 gigabytes (GB) versus 1.2 GB.
Europa↗
Observations of the Jovian System with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory
The {\sl Chandra X-ray Observatory) observed the Jovian system on 25-26 Nov 1999 with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS), in support of the Galileo flyby of Io, and on 18 Dec 2000 with the imaging array of the High Resolution Camera (HRC-I), in support of the Cassini flyby of Jupiter. These sensitive, very high spatial-resolution X-ray observations have revealed that Jupiter's northern x-ray aurora originates at a spot fixed in a coordinate system rotating with the planet at latitude (60--70 deg north) and longitude (160--180 deg System III). Contrary to previous expectations, this location is poleward of the main FUV auroral oval and the foot of the Io Flux Tube, and is apparently connected magnetically to a region of the outer magnetosphere beyond $\sim$30 Jupiter radii. The northern auroral x-ray emission varies with a period $\sim$45 minute and has a an average power of $\sim$1 GW. The earlier view that Jupiter's x-ray aurora resulted from the precipitation of heavy ions from the outer edge of the lo Plasma Torus is now in doubt. Jupiter's disk also emits x-rays with a power of $\sim$2 GW, perhaps resulting from reprocessing of solar x-rays in its atmosphere. These observations reveal for the first time x-ray emission from the Io Plasma Torus, with a power of $\sim$0.1 Gw. The origin of this emission is not currently understood, although bremmstrahlung from non-thermal electrons may play a significant role. Finally, we report the discovery of very faint ($\sim$1--2 MW) soft x-ray emission from the Galilean satellites Io, Europa, and probably Ganymede, most likely as a result of bombardment of their surfaces by energetic ($ greater than $10 keV) H, O, and S ions from the region of the Io Plasma Torus.
Elsner, R. F.↗
Europa Spacecraft Configuration Optimization for the Solar Powered Vehicle
A mission to Europa has been on the minds of NASA and JPL for many years. After the Galileo mission to Jupiter in the 1990s there have been various proposals for missions to the Jovian moon. The most recent proposal, previously named the Europa Clipper, has gone through numerous iterations of spacecraft configurations on its road to becoming an official NASA project in June of 2015. Most of these configurations included options for either multi mission radioisotope thermoelectric generators (MMRTGs) or solar power. In 2014, the decision was made to focus on solar arrays as the source for spacecraft power. The decision to move forward with a baseline design that utilized only solar arrays as its power system meant that some configuration choices had to be re- evaluated. Initially, a configuration was adapted to keep as much of the previous spacecraft design the same while replacing MMRTGs with solar panels. This proved to be difficult as the arrays presented a slew of new challenges that the nuclear vehicle was not optimized for. The solar arrays needed to be large due to Jupiter's substantial distance from the Sun. This meant that many of the instrument and radiator FOVs would now be obstructed, or would receive reflected light and heat from the large panel s. Also, the mass of the panels meant that mounting near the bottom of the spacecraft would be sub-optimal as the wings would cause major disturbance to the vehicle as they oscillated in their deployed state. Another major, and possibly the largest, concern was the fact that as the high gain antenna pointed to Earth for communication, the Ice Penetrating Radar (IPR) would cast a large shadow on the cell -side of the array. This resulted in an estimated 10% power loss to the vehicle. On top of all this, NASA announced the selection of the instruments that would fly on the Europa mission and replace the notional instrument suite that had been used to develop and submit the project proposal. The selected instruments, while not varying widely from the notional suite, did come with a new set of challenges including a size increase over the notional package, thus requiring more room for accommodation. They also introduced new features not previously addressed by the notional package, such as a two-axis gimbal on one of the imagers. Additionally, two new instruments, an ultraviolet plume -hunting spectrograph, and an atmospheric dust analyzer we added to the payload and presented new challenges not previously covered in the proposal. Finally, additional payloads were under consideration, such as a 250kg ejectable payload that would be released at Jupiter and would accomplish flybys of some of the other Jovian moons. All of this resulted in a drastically different "family" of configurations that were capable of addressing these issues, and staying flexible to the numerous potential changes that could come. This paper discusses the details of the various configurations considered to address these items, and the configuration concepts that were selected as the baseline for moving forward with the proposal.
Horner, Matthew D.↗