Open AccessThe Jupitor icy moons orbiter project: The scientific rationale
Author(s) -
Creely Ronald,
Johnson Torrence
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1029/2004eo360001
Subject(s) - orbiter , jovian , astrobiology , jupiter (rocket family) , galileo (satellite navigation) , icy moon , payload (computing) , aerospace engineering , planet , aeronautics , physics , astronomy , computer science , engineering , remote sensing , geology , spacecraft , computer security , network packet , saturn
The Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) is proposed by NASA as the next step in the exploration of the Jovian system following the successful Galileo project. JIMO would use nuclear‐electric propulsion to deliver a highly capable scientific payload to Jupiter and go into orbit around Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, and to conduct investigations of the Jovian system. In early 2003, a NASA Science Definition Team (SDT) was appointed to develop the scientific rationale and priorities for JIMO. The SDT, co‐chaired by T. Johnson and R. Greeley, consisted of 38 scientists representing the broad scientific potential afforded by JIMO.This article summarizes the principal findings of the SDT.