VITA NOVA: SEARCH FOR NEW LIFE

This expedition will be to one of Saturn's iciest moons. Our mission, Vita Nova (Latin- New Life), will journey to Enceladus to pursue evidence of new life forms. Vita Nova's primary goal is to build upon the discovery of the Cassini expedition by landing and conducting a rove mission for new life forms. While the Cassini mission analyzed Enceladus' geysers and detected organic compounds, outlining conditions favorable to life, Vita Nova will directly explore the moon's surface and subsurface bodies of water and conduct tests for biological activity. The mission will employ Mass Spectrometry to detect organic molecules in ice samples and Isotope Analysis to assess biological activity. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) will also map the subsurface ocean; thermal sensors will identify subsurface activity, and a Cryobot probe will drill through ice layers, reaching subsurface waters for samples. Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) convert heat from the natural decay of plutonium-238 into long-lasting electrical power and heat. RPS operates independently of solar power, is unaffected by cold temperatures and has proven successful on decade-long missions. This makes RPS ideal for the Vita Nova mission, which faces Enceladus' extreme cold (average surface temperatures of -330°F), an estimated seven-year travel time, and the immense energy demands of a rove mission that will conduct subsurface exploration. Space missions are inherently complex and unpredictable. My critical thinking skills—clarifying, questioning, identifying, evaluating, and creating solutions—will enable the Vita Nova team to design and assess each aspect of the mission meticulously. Critical thinking fosters effective communication and collaboration, ensuring that the most qualified people are selected for each mission component to achieve mission success.