National Aeronautics and Space Administration Logo
Follow this link to skip to the main content NASA Banner
Solar System Exploration
Missions
Europa Jupiter System Mission
 By Target   By Name   By Decade 
Search for Missions Containing:      Search
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
EJSM
Europa Jupiter System Mission Mission to Jupiter

Goals: This mission concept calls for two robotic orbiters working together to determine whether the Jovian system harbors habitable worlds. The orbiters would perform an extensive study of the Jovian system before finally focusing on the intriguing moons Europa and Ganymede. The spacecraft -- NASA's Jupiter Europa Orbiter and the European Space Agency's Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter -- would determine the extent of subsurface oceans and ice shells on the targeted moons. The moon studies placed in the context of the Jovian system would allow for comparative planetology and would provide significant insight into the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants.

Accomplishments: This mission is a concept being considered for further development.


Key Dates
This is a mission concept. No launch date has been determined yet.
Fast Facts
EJSM Facts The spacecraft would study the four moons discovered by Galileo Galilei (right) in 1610. They are Io, Europa, Callisto and Ganymede.

There may be liquid water oceans under the icy crusts of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

The spacecraft would work together to understand the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants.
People Spotlight
Robert Pappalardo Robert Pappalardo
"The most exciting moments are the 'aha moments' when a scientific problem that you've been wrestling with suddenly falls into place...." Read More...
Michele Dougherty - Principal Investigator
Louise Prockter - Supervisor of the Planetary Exploration Group
Headlines
Links
Awards and Recognition   Solar System Exploration Roadmap   Contact Us   Site Map   Print This Page
NASA Official: Kristen Erickson
Advisory: Dr. James Green, Director of Planetary Science
Outreach Manager: Alice Wessen
Curator/Editor: Phil Davis
Science Writers: Samantha Harvey & Autumn Burdick
Producer: Greg Baerg
Webmaster: David Martin
> NASA Science Mission Directorate
> Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
> Equal Employment Opportunity Data
   Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act
> Information-Dissemination Policies and Inventories
> Freedom of Information Act
> Privacy Policy & Important Notices
> Inspector General Hotline
> Office of the Inspector General
> NASA Communications Policy
> USA.gov
> ExpectMore.gov
> NASA Advisory Council
> Open Government at NASA
Last Updated: 24 Jan 2011