Spacecraft

Instruments

@Nasa (Icy moon orbiter)

Instruments will be used to study and measure all the three moons in order to gain uniform measurements. Emphasis will be laid on finding sites for future landing sites.
In order to finalize the instruments that will be used in the mission, NASA will conduct a process that will be open to scientists of the world. However most likely to be included as part of the instruments will be

• A radar to map the thickness of ice
• An instrument to measure surface elevations.

The other instruments would include

• A camera
• An infrared imager
• A magnetometer
• Instruments to study charged particles, atoms and dust that the spacecraft would encounter near each moon.

Power

NASA would use nuclear power to achieve success in its mission. The Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter Mission would demonstrate the usefulness of a nuclear fission reactor (explained earlier in propulsion techniques). It will highlight the fact that such a reactor can be created to be used in deep space, flown safely, and operated consistently on long-duration missions in the deep space environment and return valuable data.

A nuclear fission reactor has the ability to produce exceptional amounts of electrical energy. This energy is useful for improving scientific measurements, mission design options, and telecommunications capabilities. These additional scientific capabilities will enable the radar to infiltrate deep into icy surfaces and allow detailed study of the surface.  

Propulsion

The proposed mission would use “ ion propulsion” which is a type of electric propulsion. The Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter has many more instruments and would be traveling farther from the Sun. It would use a nuclear fission reactor to provide power to its ion thrusters and a system that would convert the reactor's heat into electricity. This could give the craft immense power for its travel.

Challenges

The biggest challenges before the mission designers are the radiation of the moons, especially Europa. These challenges have to be kept in mind will selecting suitable microelectronics technologies with exceptional radiation characteristics and long-term reliability. Because of such an environment, new methods for reducing radiation risk must be used.