Planetary Exploration Twin: Enceladus
The Planetary Exploration Twin (PET) is a data-driven, modular framework that integrates science objectives, instrument design, resource management, and operational planning to assess data sufficiency and iteratively optimize mission parameters and concepts of operation. While applicable to any planetary body, my current focus is on Saturn’s moon Enceladus and the use of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) to measure crustal deformation.
By combining shape, ephemeris, and topography data from Cassini with finite element models of Enceladus’s interior, methods for inferring crustal thickness from surface deformation, and detailed instrument and orbital specifications, we generate synthetic interferograms that are sensitive to topography, deformation, surface properties, and noise sources. From these, time series and inverse models of ice shell thickness can be reconstructed to evaluate and forecast the mission’s scientific performance.