Plumes of Potential: Investigating Enceladus' Geysers for Life's Traces

In the vast expanse of our solar system, Enceladus is a standout destination for scientific exploration. The enigmatic moon of Saturn has captured the curiosity of the public due to the scientific findings of the Cassini mission, which revealed the moon’s astonishing activity with plumes of water vapour erupting from beneath its icy surface. My mission would deploy two payloads to study different aspects of Enceladus. A rover containing a mass spectrometer would analyze plume composition. By detecting and studying the organic compounds and gasses that are present, we can gain a deeper understanding of the moon's chemical makeup and potential for life. A spacecraft would orbit Enceladus and include a magnetometer to investigate the moon’s internal structure, including the subsurface ocean and its interaction with Saturn’s magnetic field. An RPS (Radioisotope Powered System) would be crucial in overcoming solar power limitations, as Enceladus resides in the outer reaches of our solar system and receives 99% less sunlight than the Earth. With RPS, the mission will not have to worry about potential issues such as plume vapour covering solar panels or solar panel failure. My unique power lies in my ability to collaborate and work harmoniously with my peers. Effective communication and idea exchange can overcome many unforeseen mission challenges. Moreover, collaboration will extend beyond the boundaries of the mission team. It will involve partnering with international space agencies, sharing data and resources, and engaging with the broader scientific community, which maximizes the impact of the mission.