Orbiting The Largest Moon

Ganymede is a Galilean moon containing many mysteries; the two most prominent being its unique magnetosphere and its subsurface saltwater ocean. Ganymede is located deep in the reaches of our solar system; therefore, a Radioisotope Power System (RPS) would be more useful than relying on solar energy. My RPS-powered mission would be in the form of a robotic spacecraft that would orbit Ganymede in hopes of encountering geysers similar to those discovered on the moon Enceladus by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. The presence of geysers will provide data increasing the possibility that extraterrestrial life forms could exist on Ganymede. While in orbit, the spacecraft would also take high-resolution images of Ganymede’s surface. In addition to orbiting Ganymede, the spacecraft would deploy a cryobot (also powered by an RPS) onto the moon's surface. The cryobot would descend into the icy shell using the heat from an RPS to melt it and eventually reach the saltwater ocean. The cryobot will gather samples of the water and search for signs of past or present life. Exploring Ganymede’s underground ocean plays a crucial role in determining whether objects in our solar system are capable of supporting extraterrestrial life. My superpower is honesty. No space mission can be completed by one human alone. Being honest with others builds trust and helps boost cooperation and productivity. A successful team includes members who trust each other, leading them to work well together. That’s why my power of honesty will lead my mission and mission team to success.