In a bold vision for future space exploration, researchers have proposed sending a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa to search for signs of life in its vast underground ocean.
For more information on this ambitious plan, please visit Science China Earth ScienceSo how a special submarine called an extraterrestrial autonomous vehicle (Exo-AUV) drills through Europa’s thick icy shell and explores the deep ocean, where conditions suitable for microbial life may lurk. It outlines what can be done.
Three-part search system
The researchers envision a system with three main components: an ice-penetrating transport vehicle, a research submarine for long-range exploration, and an observation module for detailed on-site investigations. This multi-vehicle approach will allow scientists to explore Europa’s ocean at a variety of scales, from vast areas to microscopic details.
excavate another world
Powered by small modular reactors or radioisotope heat generators, ice-penetrating aircraft carriers would use a combination of thermal and mechanical power to penetrate Europa’s ice shell, which is tens of kilometers thick. The pressure at the deepest part of Europa’s ocean may be twice that of Earth’s Mariana Trench.
Two types of underwater explorers
The exploration system includes two specialized submarines. The research vehicle features a foldable wing design for long-distance travel, and the observation module has a disc-like shape and multiple thrusters for detailed investigation of specific areas. These vehicles work in tandem, with the larger research submarine acting as a transport and charging station for smaller observation units.
looking for traces of life
The submarine will be equipped with a variety of scientific equipment, including acoustic sensors, cameras, and tools for chemical and biological analysis. This allows us to search for potential biosignatures (indicators of past or present life) from kilometer-scale features to minute details.
Responding to challenges
Operating in Europa’s environment presents unique challenges. Jupiter’s intense radiation requires special protection, and because of its distance from Earth, commands can take up to 30 minutes to reach the vehicle. To address this, submarines will need highly autonomous systems to navigate, collect samples, and make decisions without real-time human input.
Building a network
If the first mission yields important discoveries, researchers suggest additional systems could be activated to create Europe’s network of explorers across the world’s oceans. This will enable comprehensive mapping and exploration of potentially habitable environments beneath the ice.
I’m looking forward to it
The research is an important step in planning how humans will search for life in Europa’s oceans and answers one of the most profound questions in science this century: Are we alone in our solar system? There is a possibility that we can get an answer to this question.
A study outlining this exploration strategy was published in Science China Earth Sciences. This research provides a roadmap for future missions to explore icy worlds like Europa and Enceladus in search of extraterrestrial life.
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