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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik
EP 10: Poster Session
EP 10.13: Poster
Donnerstag, 3. April 2025, 11:00–12:30, ZHG Foyer 1. OG
Permittivity sensor for radar measurements and complex permittivity analysis of the ice crust on Jupiter’s moon Europa — •Fabian Becker, Enrico Ellinger, and Klaus Helbing — Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Deutschland
The icy moons in our solar system are gaining significant attention as targets for upcoming space missions. This interest stems from the substantial reservoirs of liquid water hidden beneath their icy surfaces, which could potentially harbour conditions suitable for extraterrestrial life. Following the era of orbital missions that have studied moons like Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, and Enceladus, the next step is to design and deploy lander missions.
Our approach to exploring the ice crust and potentially traversing the thick ice layer to reach the liquid water beneath involves using melting probes. For these probes, a specialized sensor system has been developed to measure the surrounding ice’s complex permittivity εr*. This sensor system will provide valuable preliminary information about the structure and composition of the moon’s ice crust, offering key insights into its physical and chemical properties.
This poster will demonstrate how such a sensor is integrated into a melting probe, the precision with which it measures both the real and imaginary components of permittivity and the underlying principles of its operation. Furthermore, it will highlight how advanced calibration techniques and simulations have enabled more accurate measurements, enhancing the sensor’s performance and reliability.
Keywords: Icy moons; Europa; Permittivity