Europa CT Scanning: The Richter Program

Undergraduate Team (Class) Student Design Competition

Request for Proposal:
Design a Seismometer Array and Delivery System Capable of Collecting Seismographic Data
Sufficient to Map the Interiors of Jupiters Moon II Europa
Objective:
NASAs Europa Clipper is presently in early design stages for a projected orbital exploration of Jupiters
watery moon Europa. While much can be learned from the multiple flybys planned for the Clipper, in situ
seismic measurements can provide not only more detailed information on the interior of this natural
satellite but also indicate the level of current seismicity and offer information on the origin of that
seismicity. In response to this RFP, the responding teams will:
(1) Develop an array of seismometers that will be able to determine the interior organization of Europa.
(2) Determine software and hardware requirements for seismometer placement on Europa with sufficient
geographic dispersion to accomplish (1).
(3) Develop a delivery system that can suitably emplace the seismometers.
(4) Operate the array (minimum 7 operational units) for a minimum of 90 days.
Background: The Solar System provides an extensive zoo of solid objects, spanning sizes ranging
from over 10,000 km diameter down to tens of meters in diameter, varying surface compositions, and
differing surface features.
When combined with mathematical models, flyby and orbiting vehicles have already provided
skeletal data for Europa. To better understand this fascinating moon, explore its internal variations, and
determine the magnitude and extent of any internal or surface geologic activity (either externally forced or
in situ generated), a system of seismometers placed on the surface of it can reveal details such as the sizes
of the core, mantle, and crust, the level of seismic activity, they types of seismic activity, and potentially
reveal local surface activity. A minimum of seven seismometers is necessary for adequate geometric
coverage of a sphere (and more are better, especially to cover the segment of the sphere shadowed by
any core).
Proposed Design Requirements: Develop a seismometer system with multiple stations which can
operate and return seismometer and imaging data from the network for a minimum of 90 days on the
surface of Europa. Determine the necessary number of stations to account for the loss of a station during
interplanetary flight, landing, or later during the science mission.
A minimum array of seismometers shall be emplaced on Europa as follows, down and operating by 2021:
One seismometer within 10 latitude of the North or South pole.
Three seismometers at each of 30 10 north and south of the equator spread apart 90 in longitude.
The middle seismometer in each latitudinal sub-array shall be diametrically opposite its counterpart.
Additional seismometers, if available shall be targeted for the opposing pole and fill the fourth 90
position in the latitudinal sub-arrays.
The seismometers shall be sensitive to P- and S-waves generated anywhere on/in Europa and to
local surface (L) waves from activity due to nearby landslides, meteoroid strikes, or geyser or volcanic
activity.
Each seismometer station shall carry a simple, wide angle, color camera on a boom capable of
360 of panning in azimuth and tilting in elevation. Mosaicking shall permit >2 steradian coverage (from
below horizontal to the local zenith) on a periodic basis. Image sets shall be acquired automatically with a

frequency such that there is at least one image set for every 4 of solar elevation angle above and below
the local horizon and may be acquired anytime during the 90 day prime mission. Cameras shall have
autoexposure but must also have commandable pointing and exposure controls and be in focus from 10
meters to infinity.
Data shall be returned to Earth with a frequency set by the landers system production rate, the
seismometer data production rate, and the camera production rate, and available recording system
volumes, unless otherwise commanded. Relay from an orbiter (of Europa or Jupiter) may be used if
desired.
If a data relay spacecraft is selected, provide basic design details and operational plans.
Design a system to safely deliver and emplace each seismometer station on Europas surface.
Include an imaging system and plan an appropriate trajectory for mapping potential seismometer station
sites if appropriate to the delivery scheme. Provide basic design details and operational plans for the
delivery vehicle.
Prepare a strawman mission description.
Determine economic breakpoints for data generation, storage, and transmission rates and
frequency for the seismometer stations and for any downlink options considered.
Concept Review:
Include preliminary requirements and designs for seismic stations and potential delivery systems. Prepare
trade matrices and rationales for selections.
Preliminary Design Review:
Based on results of the concept review, prepare anticipated designs for all systems and subsystems.
Proposed Design Submission: The design team will identify a suitable launch system and trajectory to
Europa. The launch system should be based on currently available launch vehicles and flight systems,
with reasonable extensions/upgrades in capabilities anticipated over the next decade. Performance
requirements should be specified.
Complete operations subsystems for a seismometer station and for any ancillary vehicles/hardware
shall be outlined.
The design team will specify the extreme operating conditions (e.g., temperature, atmospheric
density, radiation exposure) of the delivery vehicle and seismometer station in the environments they will
pass through and operate within. Systems for command, control, communication, and data storage and
transmission will be specified. The requirements on and characteristics of the power system, thermal
protection systems, tracking and positioning systems, any unique systems, etc. required for operations
shall be specified. Indicate any needs for planetary protection protocols and their influence on designs.
Specify disposal plans for any orbiters and the landers.
The design team will prepare and provide a 3-view layout of the proposed payload and its
placement in the launch and cruise vehicles. Provide the configuration of all subsystems and instruments
and their placement on the structures, along with engineering subsystems. Masses for structure, piping,
and cabling should be noted, as well as tank capacity and total dry and wet masses as appropriate. Power
requirements for all engineering and science subsystems should be compiled.
A cost analysis must be provided that indicates the manufacturing advantage for multiple
seismometer stations. With the table mentioned under Proposed Design Requirements, include the costs
of station modifications and launch and mission differences for each possible target body.
Judging Criteria: Project evaluation criteria will focus on the teams understanding of the problem
(20%), the technical feasibility of the proposed design (50%), and its capability to meet the specified
requirements (30%).