Io Volcano Observer

Io Volcano Observer
Mission typeScience
OperatorNASA / Applied Physics Laboratory / University of Arizona
Websitehttps://ivo.lpl.arizona.edu/
Mission duration5-year transit to Jupiter 47-month primary mission at Jupiter
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerApplied Physics Laboratory
Launch mass<2000 kg
Dry mass<800 kg
Start of mission
Launch dateJanuary 2029 (proposed)[1]
RocketTBD
Launch siteCape Canaveral
Jupiter orbiter
Orbits10
Flyby of Io
← Psyche

Io Volcano Observer (IVO) is a proposed low-cost mission to explore Jupiter's moon Io to understand tidal heating as a fundamental planetary process.[1] The main science goals are to understand (A) how and where tidal heat is generated inside Io, (B) how tidal heat is transported to the surface, and (C) how Io is evolving. These results are expected to have direct implications for the thermal history of Europa and Ganymede as well as provide insights into other tidally heated worlds such as Titan and Enceladus. The IVO data may also improve our understanding of magma oceans and thus the early evolution of the Earth and Moon.

IVO is similar to the Io Orbiter concept suggested for the New Frontiers Program by the 2013–2022 U. S. National Research Council Planetary Science Decadal Survey.[2] The mission was proposed to NASA's Discovery Program by the University of Arizona and Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in 2010, 2015, and 2019.[3][4][5] IVO was also proposed to NASA's Discovery & Scout Mission Capability Expansion (DSMCE) in 2007 and awarded a concept-study in 2009.[6][7]

In 2020, IVO was selected along with three other Discovery proposals for further study, with one or two expected to be selected to fly.[8] In all cases the Principal Investigator has been Alfred McEwen. However, IVO and Trident were passed over in the Discovery 15 and 16 selection phase in favor of DAVINCI+ and VERITAS, both missions to Venus.[9]

  1. ^ a b McEwen, A. S. (2021). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1352. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022". Space Studies Board, National Research Council. 2011.
  3. ^ McEwen, A.; et al. (2010). Science Rationale for an Io Volcano Observer (IVO) Mission (PDF). LPSC XLI. Abstract #1433.
  4. ^ McEwen, A.; et al. (2015). The Io Volcano Observer (IVO) for Discovery 2015 (PDF). LPSC XLVI. Abstract #1627.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "NASA Selects Four Possible Missions to Study the Secrets of the Solar System". NASA. 13 February 2020.
  9. ^ Potter, Sean (2 June 2021). "NASA Selects 2 Missions to Study 'Lost Habitable' World of Venus" (Press release). NASA. Retrieved 2 June 2021.