Technology for Icy Moons Seismology

Incoprorates lessons learned from the InSight mission.

In the coming years and decades NASA may launch a series of missions to explore Ocean Worlds of Jupiter and Saturn in search of life, or conditions for life, in the outer Solar System.  Seismology is key tool for determining both the deep and shallow interior structure and material properties of planetary interiors - necessary for determining their thermal and chemical structure and thus their habitability. Moreover, in addition to ice-quakes and deep moonquakes, seismometers can listen to the moons’ distinct “vital signs” by detecting fluid motion in the shallow subsurface, seismic signals emanating from cryo-volcanos, and conceivably sub-glacial ocean circulation. In addition to Ocean Worlds, the Lunar Geophysical Network is identified in the Planetary Science Decadal Survey as one of seven New Frontiers mission concepts.  Planetary seismometers are therefore both mission enabling and mission enhancing technologies that will play a key role in future planetary exploration.

Potential benefit to Broad Band exploration geophysics.

Small, sensitive, and cost effective seismoeters hold potential benefits for DoD, DoE, and the USGS.