Open AccessUnderstanding Icy Worlds to Maximize Science Return on Future Missions
Author(s) -
Cable Morgan L.,
Beauchamp Patricia M.,
Senske David
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1002/2014eo280007
Subject(s) - astrobiology , planet , solar system , asteroid , solar energy , outer space , aerospace engineering , space (punctuation) , physics , astronomy , computer science , engineering , electrical engineering , operating system
Missions to the outer planets are challenging. Far beyond the asteroid belt, the Sun is a weak source of energy—radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) tend to be the power system of choice over solar panels. The radiation environments can be extreme. Yet these icy worlds call to us. Some have icy plumes erupting into space; some are laden with organic material. All of the ingredients for life are there—water, chemistry, and energy—meaning that these planets could be livable environments.