Chapter 9, Problem 40IF

Exploring Europa II. One suggestion for determining whether Europa has life is to send an orbiter that passes close to the surface of the planet, drops a “bowling ball” that makes a crater on the surface, and then catches the ice thrown up by the impact. This sample ice would be brought back to Earth for analysis. Briefly describe what we would be looking for in such an experiment and what it might teach us. How do you think the cost of such a mission to Europa would compare to, say, that of a mission that orbits but does not return to Earth? Explain.