Tenders Are Invited For L4 Enceladus Icy Surface Model Development

Tenders are invited for l4 Enceladus Icy Surface Model Development - Expro+ Develop an Enceladus Icy Surface model to support the de-risking of lander architectureand landing approach surface sample collectionDescription.In preparation for the L4 mission to Enceladus, the knowledge of the physical compositionand mechanical strength properties of the icy surface is of high importance to ensure asuccessful landing and sample collection.However current understanding of the Enceladus surface environment is limited.This activity shall include at a minimum the following tasks:- Review of an internal ESA Enceladus Icy surface model- Review of plume/environment models either from ongoing TDE activity (ESA AO/1-12241/25/NL/CRS/my) or other state-of-art models, which would include snow depositionmaps and temperature maps.- Create/update Enceladus Icy Surface model.- Monte-carlo simulations of the parameter space of the surface models a (e.g. location,precipitation rates, temperature ranges, thermal inertia)The Enceladus Icy surface model shall be able to predict the local surface conditions tosupport the landing and guide the design of sample collection mechanisms.E.g. the model shall account for the surface deposition rate from the plumes, sintering ofthe snow column, depending e.g. on the local subsurface temperature gradients. Themodel shall be able to estimatethe snow strength as a function of latitude and longitude values around the south pole. Additionally snow buildup and sintering around local topology variations (e.g. crevasses and boulders) shall be assessed. Read less Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open