MASPEX-Europa: The Europa Clipper Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer Investigation

MASPEX-Europa: The Europa Clipper Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer Investigation

2 April 2024 | J.H. Waite Jr.¹², J.L. Burch³, T.G. Brockwell³, D.T. Young³, G.P. Miller³, S.C. Persyn³, J.M. Stone³, P. Wilson IV³, K.E. Miller³, C.R. Glein³, R.S. Perryman³, M.A. McGrath⁴, S.J. Bolton³, W.B. McKinnon⁵, O. Mousis⁶, M.A. Sephton⁷, E.L. Shock⁸, M. Choukroun⁹, B.D. Teolis³, D.Y. Wyrick³, M.Y. Zolotov⁸, C. Ray³,¹⁰, A.L. Magonecelli¹¹, R.R. Raffanti¹², R.L. Thorpe³, A. Bouquet⁶, T.L. Salter⁷, K.J. Robinson⁸, C. Urdiales³, Y.D. Tyler³, G.J. Dirks³, C.R. Beebe³, D.A. Fuget⁹, J.A. Alexander³, J.J. Hanley³, Z.A. Moorhead-Rosenberg³, K.A. Franke³, K.S. Pickens³, R.J. Focia³, B.A. Magee³, P.J. Hoeper³, D.P. Aaron³, S.L. Thompson³, K.B. Persson³, R.C. Blase³, G.F. Dunn³, R.L. Killough³, A. De Los Santos³, R.J. Rickerson³, O.H.W. Siegmund¹³
The MASPEX-Europa investigation is a high-mass-resolution, high-sensitivity, multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MBTOF) designed to measure minor species in Europa's exosphere and plumes. Its primary goal is to assess the habitability of Europa by analyzing the composition of its exosphere and plumes, focusing on the presence of liquid water, organic compounds, and energy sources. The instrument will determine the relative abundances of key volatile compounds to constrain the chemical conditions of Europa's ocean and search for potential biosignatures. MASPEX has been successfully developed and calibrated to meet its sensitivity, dynamic range, and mass resolution requirements. The investigation is part of the Europa Clipper mission, which aims to explore Europa's surface and subsurface to determine if conditions for life exist. MASPEX will measure the distribution of major volatiles and organic compounds in Europa's exosphere, determine the relative abundances of key volatile compounds, and search for biosignatures. The instrument will also help assess the potential for hydrothermal activity and the presence of organic compounds in Europa's interior. The investigation is complemented by other instruments on the Europa Clipper mission, including the SURface Dust Analyzer (SUDA), the Europa UltraViolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS), and the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE). MASPEX will provide insights into Europa's interior, geochemistry, and habitability by measuring the composition of its exosphere and plumes. The instrument will also help determine the presence of noble gases and other chemical compounds that may indicate the delivery of recent plume or ocean waters to the surface. The investigation is crucial for understanding the potential for life on Europa and the conditions that may support it.The MASPEX-Europa investigation is a high-mass-resolution, high-sensitivity, multi-bounce time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MBTOF) designed to measure minor species in Europa's exosphere and plumes. Its primary goal is to assess the habitability of Europa by analyzing the composition of its exosphere and plumes, focusing on the presence of liquid water, organic compounds, and energy sources. The instrument will determine the relative abundances of key volatile compounds to constrain the chemical conditions of Europa's ocean and search for potential biosignatures. MASPEX has been successfully developed and calibrated to meet its sensitivity, dynamic range, and mass resolution requirements. The investigation is part of the Europa Clipper mission, which aims to explore Europa's surface and subsurface to determine if conditions for life exist. MASPEX will measure the distribution of major volatiles and organic compounds in Europa's exosphere, determine the relative abundances of key volatile compounds, and search for biosignatures. The instrument will also help assess the potential for hydrothermal activity and the presence of organic compounds in Europa's interior. The investigation is complemented by other instruments on the Europa Clipper mission, including the SURface Dust Analyzer (SUDA), the Europa UltraViolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS), and the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE). MASPEX will provide insights into Europa's interior, geochemistry, and habitability by measuring the composition of its exosphere and plumes. The instrument will also help determine the presence of noble gases and other chemical compounds that may indicate the delivery of recent plume or ocean waters to the surface. The investigation is crucial for understanding the potential for life on Europa and the conditions that may support it.
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