Hi, Im new to this list so i basically want to know what is the state of the ideas for upcoming europa missions Probably its been already considered that a underwater mission without previous knowledge about the ice layers structure its going to be very risky, for saying the least. There is ->(AFAIK)<- no data at the present about what may be the average thickness of the ice. Without such information, it would be a random choice to where put a probe, and if one dares to make simplistic comparisons with the usual thickness of earth glacials, one would have to be ready to think a way to dig a hole of various hundreds of meters to reach possible water. Its my opinion that it would be much more realistic to first send surface probes that would provide a rough geoseismical analysis of the ice layers. This techniques go between acoustic wave propagation analysis to electric conductivity analysis. Its probably that to deploy a useful measuring strategy over the surface of Europa such mission would have to be more like a network of distributed probes over the surface, instead of a single probe mission. Im not specialist upon the concrete techniques to be used, but the cracking of ice layers that are evident in Europa points to the clear possibility that such a seismic analysis will provide tons of useful data with just putting an ear near to the ice ground Its this been discussed already? what is the state of Europa missions? are there any ongoing projects at the moment? Cheers ------------ Los mejores usados y las m�s tentadoras ofertas de 0km est�n en Yahoo! Autos. Compr� o vend� tu auto en http://autos.yahoo.com.ar == You are subscribed to the Europa Icepick mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Project information and list (un)subscribe info: http://klx.com/europa/
