Abstract
In the solar system,Icy Worlds such as Europa and Enceladus hold great potential for extraterrestrial life and may provide humanity an answer,within this century,to the age-old question of life beyond Earth.Exo-AUV technology shows promise in life detection in the icy shell,at the ice-water interface and on the seafloor of exo-ocean.Space agencies,including NASA and DLR,are enthusiastic about deploying Exo-AUVs to explore life in these regions.However,the where and how to find life,the technologies to be utilized and the goals to be achieved are crucial aspects for future Exo-AUV life detection missions on Icy Worlds.This study delves into a hypothetical mission of life detection on Europa,discussing science goals,detectable objects,potential regions and biogenic analysis for Icy Worlds.It proposes a life detection strategy for Icy Worlds based on Exo-AUVs,presents key contextual elements for Exo-AUV operations,outlines technological requirements for hull,payloads and autonomy,introduces the current state of Exo-AUV research and addresses existing challenges.This study also suggests a roadmap for conceptual development of Exo-AUV and a Concept of Operations for Multiple Exo-AUV System(ConOps for MEAS).This system aims to assist planetary scientists and astrobiologists in exploring Icy Worlds,identifying robust biosignatures and potentially discovering extant organisms,even prebiotic chemical systems.
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