Operator | NASA |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Arizona State University |
Instrument type | infrared camera |
Function | study thermal anomalies |
Properties | |
Spectral band | infrared |
Host spacecraft | |
Spacecraft | Europa Clipper |
Operator | NASA |
Launch date | October 14, 2024, 16:06:00UTC (12:06 p.m. EDT) |
Rocket | Falcon Heavy |
Launch site | Kennedy Space Center |
The Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS) instrument is designed to scan the surface of Europa and identify areas of geologically recent resurfacing through the detection of subtle thermal anomalies. This 'heat detector' will provide high spatial resolution, multi-spectral thermal imaging of Europa to help detect active sites such as outflows and plumes. E-THEMIS will be launched on board the planned Europa Clipper astrobiology mission to Jupiter's moon Europa in 2024.
The E-THEMIS uses technology inherited from the THEMIS camera flown on board the 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, and the OSIRIS-REx OTES instruments.[1]