Direct-to-Earth Mission Concept for a Europa Lander

A NASA HQ-directed study team led by JPL with partners including APL, MSFC, GSFC, LaRC and Sandia National Laboratory has recently presented an updated mission concept for a Europa Lander that would search for bio-signatures and signs of life in the near-subsurface of the Jovian moon. This paper will describe that mission architecture including science objectives, interplanetary and delivery trajectory, flight system, planetary protection architecture and mission phases. The mission would follow the Europa Multiple-Flyby Mission Clipper planned for launch in 2023, which would provide reconnaissance imagery and other data to the Lander for use in selecting a scientifically compelling site and certifying it for engineering safety. The Europa Lander concept accommodates the Model Payload identified by the Europa Lander Science Definition Team (SDT) and documented in the Europa Lander Study 2016 Report released in February of 2017. Since holding a Mission Concept Review (MCR) in June of 2017, HQ directed the study team to further explore the architectural trade space with a goal of reducing the mission cost. Based on the results of that study, in December of 2017 HQ directed the study team to focus on biosignature science and shift to a Direct-to-Earth communication architecture. The currently envisioned Europa Lander would launch on an SLS Block 1B as early as Fall of 2026 into a DV-Earth-Mars-Gravity Assist (DVEMGA) trajectory, arriving in the Jovian system as early as mid-2031. The baseline design of the integrated flight system includes a Carrier Stage, a Deorbit Vehicle composed of a Deorbit Stage consisting of a solid rocket motor (SRM), an MSL-like sky-crane Descent Stage, and a Lander which accommodates the instrument suite. The Lander would be powered by primary batteries over a 20+ day surface mission. The science goals envisioned by the SDT for biosignature science require three samples taken from a depth of 10 cm, a depth chosen to ensure minimal radiation processing of the potential biomarkers. Mission challenges include the large launch mass, unknown terrain topography, surface composition and materials properties, the high radiation environment, and complying with the stringent planetary protection requirements. The mission concept uses a strategy of early risk reduction and overlapping requirements to provide robustness to harsh and uncertain environments. Early risk reduction efforts are aimed at maturing technologies associated with the sampling system, the intelligent landing system, high specific energy batteries, low mass and power motor controllers, and a thermal sterilization system.