The Europa Imaging System (EIS) Investigation
E P Turtle1, A S McEwen2, G W Patterson1
1Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD USA.
Space Science Reviews
|December 9, 2024
Summary
The Europa Imaging System (EIS) uses narrow and wide-angle cameras to map Europa
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science: Europa's geology, composition, and ice shell dynamics.
Background:
- High-priority science objectives for Europa demand advanced imaging capabilities.
- Previous missions have provided limited high-resolution data of Europa's surface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the capabilities and design of the Europa Imaging System (EIS).
- To outline how EIS will address key scientific questions about Europa.
- To describe the imaging strategies for mapping and plume detection.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes a Narrow-Angle Camera (NAC) and Wide-Angle Camera (WAC) for complementary imaging.
- Employs rapid-readout 8-megapixel detectors with digital time delay integration (TDI) for signal enhancement.
- Incorporates a 2-axis gimbal for the NAC enabling targeted observations and global mapping.
- WAC designed for three-line pushbroom stereo and color imaging.
Main Results:
- NAC achieves 0.5-m pixel scale at 50 km, enabling detailed geological mapping and stereo DTMs with ≤4-m GSD.
- WAC achieves 11-m pixel scale at 50 km, providing wider swaths and DTMs with 32-m GSD.
- NAC capable of plume detection at 10-km pixel scale from one million kilometers.
- Near-global mapping of Europa at ≤100-m pixel scale is feasible with NAC.
Conclusions:
- EIS is equipped to provide unprecedented high-resolution imagery and topographical data of Europa.
- The system's dual-camera design and advanced processing will significantly advance our understanding of Europa's surface and potential activity.
- EIS is poised to revolutionize Europa exploration through comprehensive mapping and targeted investigations.
