The exploration of Europa is of great interest because it may be hospitable to certain life forms. Several lines of evidence suggest that a subsurface ocean exists beneath an icy shell, but there is debate about the thickness of the shell, with important implications for Europa's astrobiological potential. As in the case of Mercury, it may be possible to determine whether an outer shell is decoupled from the interior and to evaluate the shell thickness by measuring the amplitude of small variations in the spin rate.
Europa reached closest approach in September-November 2011, offering a rare opportunity to measure spin rate variations by tracking radar speckles. Simulations indicate that the signature of a rigid shell thinner than 50 km would be detectable. Observations of both Europa and Ganymede have gone very well and we are currently analyzing the data. Additional observations in 2012 will provide data at different viewing geometries, which is crucial to solve for precise spin axis orientations.