Geodetic investigations of the Europa Clipper mission

G. Steinbrügge; R.S. Park; J.H. Roberts; Michael T. Bland; S. M. Brooks; J. C. Castillo-Rogez; G. Cascioli; A. Genova; T. Greathouse; H. Hussmann; Randolph L. Kirk; A. Magnanini; E. Mazarico; F. Nimmo; M. S. Park; F. Petricca; K. Retherford; D.M. Schroeder; K.M. Soderlund; P. Tortora; M. Zannoni

doi:10.1007/s11214-025-01250-x

Geodetic investigations of the Europa Clipper mission

Space Science Reviews

By: G. Steinbrügge, R.S. Park, J.H. Roberts, Michael T. Bland, S. M. Brooks, J. C. Castillo-Rogez, G. Cascioli, A. Genova, T. Greathouse, H. Hussmann, Randolph L. Kirk, A. Magnanini, E. Mazarico, F. Nimmo, M. S. Park, F. Petricca, K. Retherford, D.M. Schroeder, K.M. Soderlund, P. Tortora, and M. Zannoni

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01250-x

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Abstract

The Europa Clipper mission will investigate the geophysical properties of Europa, one of Jupiter’s Galilean moons, to assess its habitability. Geodetic measurements will play a critical role in determining Europa’s internal structure, rotational state, and tidal deformation. The Geodesy Focus Group (GFG) coordinates cross-instrument efforts to measure Europa’s global shape, rotational parameters, gravity field, and degree-2 tidal Love numbers (k₂ and h₂). The data provided by the Gravity/Radio Science (G/RS) investigation, Europa Imaging System (EIS), Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding (REASON), and Europa Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) will be used to infer geodetic constraints on the interior structure and construct a precise cartographic reference system. This combined dataset will provide new constraints on Europa’s tidal response, ice shell thickness, and the properties of its subsurface ocean. The resulting geodetic information will contribute to a deeper understanding of Europa’s internal dynamics and the potential habitability of its ocean.

Suggested Citation

Steinbrügge, G., Park, R., Roberts, J., Bland, M.T., Brooks, S.M., Castillo-Rogez, J.C., Cascioli, G., Genova, A., Greathouse, T., Hussmann, H., Kirk, R.L., Magnanini, A., Mazarico, E., Nimmo, F., Park, M.S., Petricca, F., Retherford, K., Schroeder, D., Soderlund, K., Tortora, P., and Zannoni, M., 2026, Geodetic investigations of the Europa Clipper mission: Space Science Reviews, v. 222, 17, 27 p., https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01250-x.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Geodetic investigations of the Europa Clipper mission
Series title	Space Science Reviews
DOI	10.1007/s11214-025-01250-x
Volume	222
Publication Date	February 03, 2026
Year Published	2026
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Nature
Contributing office(s)	Astrogeology Science Center
Description	17, 27 p.
Other Geospatial	Europa, Jupiter