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Next: 6.3 The Surface Operations Up: 6. Spacecraft Modules Previous: 6.1 Titan IV/Centaur Launch

6.2 The Orbital Operations Module (OOM)

The Orbital Operations Module contains everything not needed on the surface of Europa. Its main purpose is propulsion, to insert Asterius into orbit around Jupiter and then Europa. It contains the engines and fuel needed for this. It also carries components not used on the surface: the magnetometer, the star tracker, and the momentum wheels.

Before landing, the OOM will be jettisoned. It will continue to wander in orbit around Europa.