SB 113-65: Europa Clipper Act (Passed)

[Mr. Reactionary]

Europa Clipper Act

Section I - Title
This bill may be cited as Europa Clipper Act

Section II - Europa Clipper
In order to stimulate sciences, Atlasia will fund a specific space project, and 5 billion will be provided for the proposed Europa Clipper project, that will be developed and executed by NASA.

The goals of Europa Clipper are to explore Europa, investigate its habitability and aid in the selection of a landing site for the future Europa Lander. This exploration is focused on understanding the three main requirements for life: liquid water, chemistry, and energy. Specifically, the objectives are to study:

A. Ice shell and ocean: Confirm the existence, and characterize the nature, of water within or beneath the ice, and processes of surface-ice-ocean exchange
B. Composition: Distribution and chemistry of key compounds and the links to ocean composition
C. Geology: Characteristics and formation of surface features, including sites of recent or current activity.

The specific components of the mission will be:

Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS)
The Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System will provide high spatial resolution as well as multi-spectral imaging of the surface of Europa in the mid to far infrared bands to help detect geologically active sites and areas, such as potential vents erupting plumes of water into space.

Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE)
The Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa is an imaging near infrared spectrometer to probe the surface composition of Europa, identifying and mapping the distributions of organics (including amino acids and tholins), salts, acid hydrates, water ice phases, and other materials. From these measurements, scientists expect to be able to relate the moon's surface composition to the habitability of its ocean.

Europa Imaging System (EIS)
The Europa Imaging System is a visible spectrum wide and narrow angle camera instrument that will map most of Europa at 50 m (160 ft) resolution, and will provide images of selected surface areas at up to 0.5 m (20 in) resolution.

Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS)
The Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument will be able to detect small plumes and will provide valuable data about the composition and dynamics of the moon's exosphere. The principal investigator Kurt Retherford was part of a group that discovered plumes erupting from Europa while using the Hubble Space Telescope in the UV spectrum.

Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON)
The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice penetrating radar instrument that is designed to characterize and sound Europa's ice crust from the near-surface to the ocean, revealing the hidden structure of Europa's ice shell and potential water pockets within. This instrument will be built by Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM)
Replacing the ICEMAG instrument, Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) will be used to characterize the magnetic fields around Europa. The instrument consists of three magnetic flux gates placed along a 25ft boom, which will be stowed during launch and deployed afterwards. By studying the strength and orientation of Europa's magnetic field over multiple flybys, scientists hope to be able to confirm the existence of Europa's subsurface ocean, as well as characterize the thickness of its icy crust and measure the water's depth and salinity.

Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS)

Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS).
The Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) measures the plasma surrounding Europa to characterise the magnetic fields generated by plasma currents. These plasma currents mask the magnetic induction response of Europa's subsurface ocean. In conjunction with a magnetometer, it is key to determining Europa's ice shell thickness, ocean depth, and salinity. PIMS will also probe the mechanisms responsible for weathering and releasing material from Europa's surface into the atmosphere and ionosphere and understanding how Europa influences its local space environment and Jupiter's magnetosphere.

Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration (MASPEX)
The Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration (MASPEX) will determine the composition of the surface and subsurface ocean by measuring Europa's extremely tenuous atmosphere and any surface materials ejected into space.

Surface Dust Analyzer (SUDA)
The SUrface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) is a mass spectrometer that will measure the composition of small solid particles ejected from Europa, providing the opportunity to directly sample the surface and potential plumes on low-altitude flybys. The instrument is capable of identifying traces of organic and inorganic compounds in the ice of ejecta.

Gravity/Radio Science
While not intended for use specifically as an instrument, Clipper will be using its radio antenna to perform additional experiments and learn about Europa's gravitational field. As the spacecraft performs each of its 45 flybys, its trajectory will be subtly altered by the moon's gravity. By sending radio signals between earth and the moon and characterizing the Doppler Shift in the return signal, scientists at JPL will be able to create a detailed characterization of the spacecraft's motion. This data will help to determine how the moon is flexing in relation to its distance from Jupiter, which will in turn reveal information about the moon's internal structure and tidal motions.

Section III - Effective Date
This act shall take effect 30 days from the date of passage. Development will start immediately. The Mission will be launched on October 10th of 2024 and the probe will arrive in april 2030 on Europa.

Sponsor: Laki
Debate on this bill is now open

[Mr. Reactionary]

Looks like new NASA mission goals. $5 Billion cost.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Are we good with this?

[PPT Spiral]

I motion for a final vote.

[Mr. Reactionary]

24 hours to object

[Utah Neolib]

Humanity was born on Earth but never meant to die here. Let’s get this passed!

[Mr. Reactionary]

Final vote is now open until Friday morning eastern or until everyone has voted.

[PPT Spiral]

Aye

[West_Midlander]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Aye!

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Aye

[Utah Neolib]

Aye!

[Liminal Trans Girl]

Aye

[Mr. Reactionary]

Aye

[Mr. Reactionary]

Bump to the top

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Aye!

[Mr. Reactionary]

Bill passes 10-0-0-8.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Europa Clipper Act

Section I - Title
This bill may be cited as Europa Clipper Act

Section II - Europa Clipper
In order to stimulate sciences, Atlasia will fund a specific space project, and 5 billion will be provided for the proposed Europa Clipper project, that will be developed and executed by NASA.

The goals of Europa Clipper are to explore Europa, investigate its habitability and aid in the selection of a landing site for the future Europa Lander. This exploration is focused on understanding the three main requirements for life: liquid water, chemistry, and energy. Specifically, the objectives are to study:

A. Ice shell and ocean: Confirm the existence, and characterize the nature, of water within or beneath the ice, and processes of surface-ice-ocean exchange
B. Composition: Distribution and chemistry of key compounds and the links to ocean composition
C. Geology: Characteristics and formation of surface features, including sites of recent or current activity.

The specific components of the mission will be:

Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS)
The Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System will provide high spatial resolution as well as multi-spectral imaging of the surface of Europa in the mid to far infrared bands to help detect geologically active sites and areas, such as potential vents erupting plumes of water into space.

Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE)
The Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa is an imaging near infrared spectrometer to probe the surface composition of Europa, identifying and mapping the distributions of organics (including amino acids and tholins), salts, acid hydrates, water ice phases, and other materials. From these measurements, scientists expect to be able to relate the moon's surface composition to the habitability of its ocean.

Europa Imaging System (EIS)
The Europa Imaging System is a visible spectrum wide and narrow angle camera instrument that will map most of Europa at 50 m (160 ft) resolution, and will provide images of selected surface areas at up to 0.5 m (20 in) resolution.

Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS)
The Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument will be able to detect small plumes and will provide valuable data about the composition and dynamics of the moon's exosphere. The principal investigator Kurt Retherford was part of a group that discovered plumes erupting from Europa while using the Hubble Space Telescope in the UV spectrum.

Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON)
The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice penetrating radar instrument that is designed to characterize and sound Europa's ice crust from the near-surface to the ocean, revealing the hidden structure of Europa's ice shell and potential water pockets within. This instrument will be built by Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM)
Replacing the ICEMAG instrument, Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) will be used to characterize the magnetic fields around Europa. The instrument consists of three magnetic flux gates placed along a 25ft boom, which will be stowed during launch and deployed afterwards. By studying the strength and orientation of Europa's magnetic field over multiple flybys, scientists hope to be able to confirm the existence of Europa's subsurface ocean, as well as characterize the thickness of its icy crust and measure the water's depth and salinity.

Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS)

Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS).
The Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) measures the plasma surrounding Europa to characterise the magnetic fields generated by plasma currents. These plasma currents mask the magnetic induction response of Europa's subsurface ocean. In conjunction with a magnetometer, it is key to determining Europa's ice shell thickness, ocean depth, and salinity. PIMS will also probe the mechanisms responsible for weathering and releasing material from Europa's surface into the atmosphere and ionosphere and understanding how Europa influences its local space environment and Jupiter's magnetosphere.

Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration (MASPEX)
The Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration (MASPEX) will determine the composition of the surface and subsurface ocean by measuring Europa's extremely tenuous atmosphere and any surface materials ejected into space.

Surface Dust Analyzer (SUDA)
The SUrface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) is a mass spectrometer that will measure the composition of small solid particles ejected from Europa, providing the opportunity to directly sample the surface and potential plumes on low-altitude flybys. The instrument is capable of identifying traces of organic and inorganic compounds in the ice of ejecta.

Gravity/Radio Science
While not intended for use specifically as an instrument, Clipper will be using its radio antenna to perform additional experiments and learn about Europa's gravitational field. As the spacecraft performs each of its 45 flybys, its trajectory will be subtly altered by the moon's gravity. By sending radio signals between earth and the moon and characterizing the Doppler Shift in the return signal, scientists at JPL will be able to create a detailed characterization of the spacecraft's motion. This data will help to determine how the moon is flexing in relation to its distance from Jupiter, which will in turn reveal information about the moon's internal structure and tidal motions.

Section III - Effective Date
This act shall take effect 30 days from the date of passage. Development will start immediately. The Mission will be launched on October 10th of 2024 and the probe will arrive in april 2030 on Europa.

Passed 10-0-0-8 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- R, PPT