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Io Volcano Observer
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<h2 id="mission-profile">Mission profile</h2> <p>The proposed baseline launch would allow a MEGA (Mars-Earth Gravity Assist) trajectory, using a <a href="/facts/Gravity_assist/4sqIByot">gravity assist</a> at both <a href="/facts/Mars/AQGtVvz0">Mars</a> and Earth to reach Jupiter in August 2033.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> Following a flyby of Io on its way in, the Io Volcano Observer would execute a Jupiter orbital insertion burn to go into an inclined orbit around Jupiter. During the remainder of the primary mission, IVO would encounter Io nine times over four years. During each of these encounters, the spacecraft would approach Io from over its north polar region, make its closest approach to Io near its equator at an altitude between 200 and 500 kilometers, and leave Io over its south polar region.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> The time and location of closest approach are carefully optimized to obtain the clearest observations of Io's induced magnetic field, <a href="/facts/Libration/LqaRthjF">libration</a> amplitude, and gravity field. Erupting volcanoes will be observed in sunlight and in darkness to best constrain the lava compositions. The distribution of heat emanating from Io will be measured from polar perspectives that were not seen by the <a href="/facts/Galileo_(spacecraft)/H57agAgz">Galileo</a> spacecraft and cannot be observed from Earth. IVO will also sample the complex mix of ionized and neutral molecules of plasma and gas around Io. The spacecraft is being designed to survive the primary mission with ample margin which could allow various types of extended missions. </p> <h3>Current status</h3> <p>Io Volcano Observer (IVO) was proposed to the NASA Discovery Program for a third time in July 2019 and was selected for further study in February 2020,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> but in June 2021, two missions to Venus, <a href="/facts/DAVINCI%252B/obTW37wk">DAVINCI+</a> and <a href="/facts/VERITAS_(spacecraft)/dMqsaMPR">VERITAS</a>, were selected instead.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="science">Science</h2> <p>The current hyperactive geology of Io is of great scientific interest in and of itself but IVO seeks to understand fundamental processes that have implications far beyond this very unusual moon. The theme connecting the diverse science to be done at Io is "Follow the Heat." </p><p>There is a continuing debate about where the tidal heat is produced within Io with some observations suggesting that it is primarily in the shallow <a href="/facts/Mantle_(geology)/RpDdtjCr">mantle</a> while others suggest that the heating is broadly distributed. It is also unclear how much of the heating is from deforming solid rock versus pushing liquid magma around. </p><p>There is evidence suggesting that there is a global layer of melt (sometimes called a <a href="/facts/Magma_ocean/PGcKDMRg">magma ocean</a>) under Io's frozen crust but there are also reasons why such a layer of melt cannot persist. IVO uses four independent experiments to determine if a magma ocean exists and, if it does exist, measure its basic properties. Magma oceans are thought to have been common in the earliest history of most of the bodies in the inner <a href="/facts/Solar_System/QIcLSazQ">Solar System</a> so IVO may have the opportunity to investigate a key process that died about 4 billion years ago everywhere else in the Solar System. It is also conceivable that some of the lessons learned about magma oceans may also be applicable to oceans of water within tidally heated icy moons of the outer Solar System. </p><p>For example, the way Io loses its internal heat is very different from how the Earth and other rocky planets lose heat at this time. Io appears to lose almost all its heat via a "<a href="/facts/Heat_pipe/Fr8GoobY">heat pipe</a>" process through volcanic eruptions that cover about 1% of the surface of the body. On Earth, <a href="/facts/Plate_tectonics/RtRG5lY4">plate tectonics</a> mixes large slabs of cold oceanic crust into the warm mantle. On the Moon and Mars, most of the current heat loss is by <a href="/facts/Thermal_conduction/5vRktgcS">conduction</a> through the crust. By examining how the cold 99% of Io's crust is involved in the <a href="/facts/Heat-pipe_tectonics/B3BuM02E">heat pipe tectonics</a>, IVO may have a window into how the early Earth, Moon, and Mars operated. </p><p>Follow the heat beyond Io bring IVO science to consider the effect tides have on the orbit of Io and the volcanic pollution it spreads across the Jovian system. Io, Europa and Ganymede have their tidal evolution locked to each other via the <a href="/facts/Laplace_resonance/eQLMfBWu">Laplace resonance</a>, so the system is well-understood only if one combines measurements of all three moons. IVO, as well as the <a href="/facts/Exploration_of_Io/Nc3NemIQ">Io exploration</a> spacecraft <a href="/facts/Europa_Clipper/LuaX203A">Europa Clipper</a> and <a href="/facts/Jupiter_Icy_Moons_Explorer/XcRkV5uS">JUICE</a>, would do precisely this. The tons of volcanic gasses stripped from Io every second is spread widely by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field. IVO will fly through this material providing new insight into how this material is removed and where it goes. This is the first step in understanding how the chemistry of Io has been altered from its initial state and may provide useful clues to how atmospheres on other bodies have evolved over time. </p><p>Overall, the IVO intends to use Io as a planet-sized natural laboratory to better understand processes that are important across the Solar System and even affect <a href="/facts/Exoplanet/zjfmqfUf">exoplanets</a>. </p> <h2 id="science-objectives">Science objectives</h2> <p>The science objectives of this proposed mission are:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>Determine the degree and distribution of melt in Io's mantle</li> <li>Determine Io's lithospheric structure</li> <li>Determine where and how Io is losing heat</li> <li>Measure Io's orbital evolution</li> <li>Determine the current rate of volatile loss from Io</li></ul> <h3>Scientific payload</h3> <p>IVO's highly capable science payload is all based on instruments that have been developed for other missions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>Narrow-Angle Camera (NAC): 10 μrad/pixel CMOS detector, pushbroom color imaging in 12 bandpasses from 350–1050 nm, panchromatic framing images for movies and geodesy. Derived from Europa Clipper's EIS NAC camera.</li> <li>Thermal Mapper (TMAP): 125 μrad/pixel, nine bandpasses for thermal mapping and silicate compositions. Derived from <a href="/facts/BepiColumbo/1PjF6HYc">BepiColumbo</a>'s MERTIS instrument.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Magnetometer/dqX9g1og">Dual Fluxgate Magnetometers</a> (DMAG): two units with a sensitivity of 0.01 nT. Related to magnetometers on InSight.</li> <li>Planetary Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS): two 90 degree conical fields of view. Derived from Europa Clipper's <a href="/facts/Plasma_Instrument_for_Magnetic_Sounding/zh3yyBoc">PIMS</a> instrument.</li> <li>Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS): 1-1000 amu/q mass range. Derived from JUICE's NIM instrument.</li> <li>A student-built wide-angle camera (WAC) based on Europa Clipper's <a href="/facts/Europa_Imaging_System/3AwsTpGF">EIS WAC</a> camera is also being considered in the Phase A study.</li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Flyby_of_Io_with_Repeat_Encounters/AsI9KQJI">Flyby of Io with Repeat Encounters</a> (<i>FIRE</i>), a mission concept to Io</li> <li><a href="/facts/Atmosphere_of_Io/p3Uc8FmK">Atmosphere of Io</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022". Space Studies Board, National Research Council. 2011. <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/598/vision-and-voyages-for-planetary-science-in-the-decade-2013-2022" target="_blank">https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/598/vision-and-voyages-for-planetary-science-in-the-decade-2013-2022</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>McEwen, A.; et al. (2010). Science Rationale for an Io Volcano Observer (IVO) Mission (PDF). LPSC XLI. Abstract #1433. <a href="http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2010/pdf/1433.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2010/pdf/1433.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>McEwen, A.; et al. (2015). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) for Discovery 2015 (PDF). LPSC XLVI. Abstract #1627. <a href="http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/pdf/1627.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2015/pdf/1627.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Follow the Heat: Io Volcano Observer". AS McEwen, E Turtle, L Kestay, K Khurana, J Westlake, etal. EPSC Abstracts Vol. 13, EPSC-DPS2019-996-1, 2019 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Green, James (March 12, 2008). "Planetary Science Update and Lunar Science Plans" (PDF). Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2010-02-08. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170131061626/http://ssedso.gsfc.nasa.gov/initiatives/lunar/LESWG/opportunities/Green_LPSC.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20170131061626/http://ssedso.gsfc.nasa.gov/initiatives/lunar/LESWG/opportunities/Green_LPSC.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>James L., Green (June 23, 2008). "Planetary Science Division Update" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2009. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080921160720/http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links/Green_PSS_June%20508%20final.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20080921160720/http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/library-and-useful-links/Green_PSS_June%20508%20final.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"NASA Selects Four Possible Missions to Study the Secrets of the Solar System". NASA. 13 February 2020. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-four-possible-missions-to-study-the-secrets-of-the-solar-system" target="_blank">https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-four-possible-missions-to-study-the-secrets-of-the-solar-system</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Potter, Sean (2 June 2021). "NASA Selects 2 Missions to Study 'Lost Habitable' World of Venus" (Press release). NASA. Retrieved 2 June 2021. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venus" target="_blank">https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venus</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Follow the Heat: Io Volcano Observer". AS McEwen, E Turtle, L Kestay, K Khurana, J Westlake, etal. EPSC Abstracts Vol. 13, EPSC-DPS2019-996-1, 2019 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019. <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"NASA Selects Four Possible Missions to Study the Secrets of the Solar System". NASA. 13 February 2020. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-four-possible-missions-to-study-the-secrets-of-the-solar-system" target="_blank">https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-four-possible-missions-to-study-the-secrets-of-the-solar-system</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Potter, Sean (2 June 2021). "NASA Selects 2 Missions to Study 'Lost Habitable' World of Venus" (Press release). NASA. Retrieved 2 June 2021. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venus" target="_blank">https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venus</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021. <a href="https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2021/pdf/1352.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>