HR: 10:55h
AN: P11C-03    [PDF]
TI: Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) Remote Sensing: Geology and Geochemistry Science Goals and Objectives.
AU: * Blaney, D L
EM: Diana.Blaney@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology, MS 183-501 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 United States
AU: Spencer, J
EM: spencer@lowell.edu
AF: Lowell Observatory, 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 United States
AB: The Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) Science Definition Team met with the broader science community to identify the key outstanding science goals and objectives that could be met by the JIMO mission at the Forum on Concepts and Approaches for JIMO in Houston, Texas on June 14-15, 2003. The Remote Sensing: Geology and Geochemistry subgroup identified that our primary objective was to determine the coupled compositional evolution of the Jovian Satellites by determining the composition, origin, physical state, and distribution of surface materials of all four Galilean Satellites. Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, and Io have undergone complex geological and chemical processing which have important implications for the evolution of the satellites and the habitability of Europa. To meet this goal, the following science objectives for JIMO were identified: 1) Identify major and minor surface components, distributions, geological ages, including abiotic and biotic organic molecules, trapped volatiles; 2) Characterize currently and recently geologically active areas; 3) Characterize exogenics vs. endogenic processes via spatial distribution patterns or other characteristics such as time variability (diurnal or longer timescales) of surface chemistry; 4) Map regolith thermophysical properties; 5) Determine heat flow on Europa and Io to investigate their coupled thermal evolution; 6) Determine temperature-dependent physical and chemical stability of surface components; 7) Map isotopic components that elucidate fractionation processes; and 8) Map regolith photometric properties. In addition JIMO should collect data needed to identify and characterize potential landing sites from both science and engineering perspectives given the potential for follow on missions to search for life on Europa in situ.
DE: 5410 Composition
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
DE: 6218 Jovian satellites
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting