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Reflection on Interview with Morgan Cable - Coggle Diagram
Reflection on Interview with Morgan Cable
Europa Clipper
Instuments
Mass spectrometer
agnostic
Infrared spectrometer
Imaging
Large-scale
Small-scale
Mission Goal
Habitability assessment
Advantages compared to Lander:
Global mapping
RADAR
Magnetometer
Dragonfly
Rotocraft design
Mobility allows it to survey various environments and terrains
Without mobility life might exist just out of range
Thick atmosphere makes flight easy
Instruments
Gas Chromatographers
Gamma ray and neutron spectrometers
Mass spectrometer
Used to distinguish unique molecules from the sea of abiotic chemistry
Europa Lander
Advantages compared to Clipper:
Allows for direct sampling via drilling or scooping
In-suite analysis of samples
Higher sensitivity biosignature detection
Microscopic imaging
Disadvantages compared to Clipper:
Limited to a local environment
Instruments that are suitable for landers
Seismometers
Movable arm
Biosignatures
Scientists assume abiotic chemistry then search for anomalies
Molecules that are too complex
Strange abundances
Unexplained complexity
Engineering Perspective
Landing is a major risk
Poor landing could result in damaged instruments
Instruments could fail
Contamination risks when taking direct samples.
Titan vs Europa
Environment
Titan
Titan's environment is abundant with abiotic organic compounds
Becomes difficult to identify biotic organic compounds
Methane lakes
Potential for life forms with unique biochemistries
Non-polar solvent could result in life forms with non-polar cell membrane
Europa
Harsh radiation
Eliminates the possibility of life residing on the surface.
Subsurface ocean
Most likely location for life
Requires large sampling to account for dilution during transportation from subsurface to surface
No atmosphere