The Frosty Pitfalls of Space Exploration The latest study on the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn has revealed a previously unknown hazard for future space missions: "fluffy" ice.
This peculiar texture, formed by low pressure freezing, poses a significant threat to landers attempting to touch down on these distant worlds.
Researchers simulated the conditions found on Europa and Enceladus in a vacuum chamber, replicating the formation of brittle sheets or thick, porous layers that water freezes into at low pressure.