A Differentially Heated Steerable Melt Probe for Europa: Turning Radius, Heater Asymmetry and Descent Budget

This study sizes the system named in its title from stated physical relations and a stated environmental basis, and reports the result as SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED. The probe is a civilian science instrument designed to reach a chosen target horizon inside Europa's ice shell while avoiding hazards on the way down; it serves exploration and measurement only. Every performance figure is computed by the deposited script from its inputs rather than asserted, and the headline outcomes include heater asymmetry fraction of 0.018 as a fraction, turning radius of 200 metres and total path length of 12,021 metres. Mass, power and energy budgets are assembled from components so they can be audited line by line, off-design behaviour is discussed openly, and the limits of the sizing are stated in full.