Chapter 13. Human Exploration of Jupiter and Saturn's Moons

13.1 Introduction

The goals of this module: After completing this exercise, you should be able to:

1. Identify the missions that have explored the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
2. Explain why sending missions to visit the jovian moons is necessary to obtain certain information. Give specific examples.
3. List reasons why all of the missions to the outer Solar System have been robotic.

In this module you will explore:

1. The history of human exploration of the Jupiter and Saturn system.
2. Images of Jupiter's and Saturn's moons from different missions.

Why you are doing it:
We have learned many fascinating things about the Jupiter and Saturn systems, even though we have never been there in person, by sending robotic probes. The story of these missions and what they found is a triumph of technology, persistence, and hard work.

13.2 Background

By 1972, humans had walked on the Moon six times, and had sent robotic missions to fly past and explore both Venus and Mars. We were looking for a new challenge. The next logical step was to send missions to the outer planets: first Jupiter, then Saturn. That year, NASA launched the Pioneer 10 mission to explore Jupiter; the next year, Pioneer 11 was launched to explore Jupiter and Saturn. The success of those missions led to a series of more advanced U.S. space missions, right up until the present day. Each of these missions has uncovered more about the Jupiter and Saturn systems.

In this module, you will explore the history of robotic exploration of the Jupiter and Saturn missions. You will see what each of the missions looked like, and what they learned at their destinations.

13.3 A Gallery of Missions

The table below is a catalog of robotic missions sent to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Click on the mission names in the left column to view the images. Some of the images show the probes themselves, and some show images that the probes took while at Jupiter. The right column lists the time that it launched from Earth and arrived at its destination(s), and its major scientific accomplishments.

Click on the names in the left column to view the images. Study the table and answer the questions below.

13.4 Robots or Humans?

You may have wondered why all of the missions beyond the Earth-Moon system orbit had no humans aboard and were controlled remotely. There are a number of advantages to these robotic missions:

• Robots aren't as fragile as people, so they can survive more acceleration and get to their target faster.
• Robots don't require life support.
• Robots don't throw off waste products and are less likely to contaminate other worlds.
• Robots don't have to return to Earth, making the missions cheaper.
• If a robot is lost or destroyed, it doesn't upset the taxpayers as much.

On the other hand, humans can be more flexible and creative about solving unexpected problems.

Whether we go in person or not, humans have just begun to explore the two largest systems of moons in our solar system!

13.5 Quick Check Quiz

Indepth Activity: Human Exploration of Jupiter and Saturn's Moons