 Europa Clipper team deploys Magnetometer Boom | |
| Operator | NASA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Jet Propulsion Laboratory[1][2] |
| Instrument type | Magnetometer |
| Function | Measuring magnetic field to characterize subsurface features |
| Mission duration | Cruise: 3-6 years Science phase: ≥ 3 years |
| Properties | |
| Dimensions | 8.5 m (length, fully deployed) |
| Host spacecraft | |
| Spacecraft | Europa Clipper |
| Operator | NASA |
| Launch date | October 14, 2024, 16:06:00 (2024-10-14UTC16:06Z) UTC (12:06 p.m. EDT) |
| Rocket | Falcon Heavy[3] |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center |
TheEuropa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) is aspacecraft magnetometer aboard the plannedEuropa Clipper mission. It will be used to precisely measureEuropa's magnetic field during consecutive fly-bys, allowing scientists to potentially confirm the existence of Europa's hypothesised subsurface ocean. If this ocean exists, the instrument will be able to determine its depth and salinity, as well as the thickness of the moon's icy shell.[4]
The magnetometer team is led byMargaret Kivelson, with Xianzhe Jia serving as deputy team leader.[4]
The ECM is a highly sensitive and precisemagnetometer used to measure small changes in the characteristics of Europa's magnetic field, studying how they vary according to time and location. The instrument will be stowed in a canister at launch, and will have a total of three flux-gate sensors attached to it. It will deploy to its full length of 8.5 meters (25 feet) in the days after launch.[4][2]
The spacecraft contains over 300 individual sources of magnetic interference, such as magnets in the propulsion valves, and current loops in the solar arrays. As a result, the instrument will be mounted on an 8.5 meter boom to reduce the effect of this contamination, but will still need to be carefully calibrated in order to account for the effects of these artificial sources.[5]
Originally, a more complex multi-frequency magnetometer (ICEMAG) was planned for inclusion aboard Europa Clipper. This instrument was ultimately scrapped, and later replaced with ECM due to cost overruns.[6]
The primary objectives of the ECM instrument are:
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