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Title: Io Observer
Primary Author: Elizabeth Turtle
Institution: Johns Hopkins University/ Applied Physics Laboratory
Date: May 1, 2010
Summary: The Jovian moon Io is likely the most geologically active body in the solar system, offering insight into tidal heating, volcanic processes, and other phenomena. However, its location within Jupiter''s radiation belt presents significant engineering challenges that must be addressed to enable future missions to Io. Under the direction of NASA, and with direct guidance from the National Research Council''s (NRC''s) Satellites Panel, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory''s (JPL''s) Advanced Project Design Team (Team X) looked at the feasibility of a remote observational mission to Io as a possible future New Frontiers concept.
Panel Selection: Satellites
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These documents have been prepared in coordination with the National Academies of Science in support of the National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey. These documents are being made available for information purposes only, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology.