THEO

This article is about the proposed space mission. For other uses, see Theo (disambiguation).
THEO
NamesTesting the Habitability of Enceladus's Ocean (THEO)
Mission typeAstrobiology reconnaissance
OperatorNASA
Mission durationproposed: 6-month science phase[1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftTHEO
Payload mass≈80 kg[2]
Dimensionscylindrical: 4.5 m height × 1. m diameter[2]
Power594 W
from a 72 m2 solar array
Start of mission
Launch date2024 if selected for development
End of mission
Disposalproposed deorbit onto Tethys
Enceladus orbiter
Orbits>600 [2]

THEO (Testing the Habitability of Enceladus's Ocean) is a feasibility study for a New Frontiers class orbiter mission to Enceladus that would directly sample its south pole water plumes in order to study its internal habitability and to search for biosignatures.[2] Specifically, it would take advantage of the direct sampling opportunities of a subsurface ocean.

The study concept was produced by the 2015 Jet Propulsion Laboratory Planetary Science Summer School under the guidance of TeamX.[1] The study has not yet been formally proposed for funding.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference THEO arXiv was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d John, K. K.; Wynne, J. J.; Powell, K.E.; MacKenzie, S. M. (2016). THEO Mission Concept: Testing the Habitability of Enceladus's Ocean (PDF). 47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.