Remarks on Chinese Autonomous Exploration of the Liquid Oceans beneath the Icy Moons’Surfaces of Jupiter System

Abstract

Icy Moons of Jupiter System (especially Europa) have abundant exploring value,and they are among the hottest objectives in solar system exploration throughout the world. In this paper,the recent advances in pertinent exploration technology in the international community are summarized, and some science issues, such as sub-surface model, temperature profile, penetration depth,and the influence of icy moons' ionosphere,are addressed. A few new ideas are presented,a preliminary system framework is proposed,and some simulation results of the sub-surface dielectric property are shown. The forthcoming Chinese autonomous Jupiter system exploration mission focusing on the exploration of the liquid oceans beneath the icy moons' surfaces is expected to benefit much from the investigation of new methodology and new configuration in this paper.

Keywords

Jupiter ice moons / liquid ocean / subsurface / altimeter / ionosphere