The goal of the Precursor Science Investigations for Europa (PSI-E) program is to further the understanding of critical topics in Europa exploration in advance of the Europa Clipper mission. This precursor work will provide critical context to enable more efficient analysis of Clipper data by the science community and will help generate discoveries and new questions that will feed into mission planning for the latter half of the prime mission and for any potential extended mission. This will maximize the science return during the radiation-limited lifetime of the Europa Clipper.
Proposals must seek to address questions that are critical to enabling the maximum use and interpretation of data from the Clipper mission. The intent of the PSI-E program is not to fund independent standalone science investigations about the nature of Europa, but rather to support studies that would address critical uncertainties, and would increase the robustness, applicability, or ease of interpretation of future Clipper results. PSI-E is an applied science program; projects that pursue fundamental research (for example, basic ice properties) are allowed, but only in the context of the program’s goals.
Deadlines:
- Required Step-1 Proposals: May 9, 2024
- Step-2 Proposals: July 11, 2024