Re-evaluating Galileo Energetic Particle Detector data by identifying radiation induced detector degradation; use in estimating sputtering erosion rat

Our knowledge of the energetic ions in Jupiter's magnetosphere rests, to a considerable extent, on the Energetic Particles Detector (EPD) instrument on the NASA Galileo mission (1989-2003). Yet this instrument was been significantly damaged due to the intense radiation environment encountered in the Jovian orbit. Thus, our knowledge of ion populations in Jupiter's atmosphere is severely compromised.
Over the course of the mission the detectors in the CMS telescope have visibly decayed with higher mass particles, specifically oxygen and sulphur, reading far lower energies at later epochs. By considering the non-steady accumulation of damage in the detector, as well as the operation of the priority channel data recording system in place on the EPD, an evolving correction can be made.
Adjusting the data to account for the damage to the detectors will improve our understanding of the Jovian radiation environment. In particular, the revised fluxes can be used to re-evaluate the effect of the particle environment on the surfaces of the icy moons.
The surfaces of icy moons, in a high radiation environment, undergo significant modification and erosion. In particular, the recalibrations will have a significant effect on the calculated erosion rates of icy moon surfaces in a high radiation environment, since these heavy ions are the main agents for the sputtering of the surface. The end result should be a revised estimate for the time-scales for ice turnover.
A key question is the survival of recognisable life signatures in the high radiation environment at the surface. The losses from sputtering, along with the losses and gains from other processes can be applied to Europa and other icy moons. The other processes are a combination of condensation off of impact expulsion, suspected plumes, dew formation from sputtered particles and up-flow.
From there, looking into the radiation weathering from particle bombardment leads to investigating the processes that the surface undergoes. This is in terms of the larger scale; in a geological sense.

I propose to investigate, in collaboration with Prof Neil Glasser in the Centre for Glaciology at Aberystwyth University, the morphology of the surface ice sheets of Europa.

The structures on the surface can provide evidence of an extant subsurface ocean. These structures bear many similarities to terrestrial, floating Antarctic ice shelves. Using Earth's Antarctic ice shelves for structural insights into the features on Europa, understanding of their origin and significance can be better developed.
A significant factor on Earth is the erosion of the ice surface by surface melt and wind. It may be that erosion in the severe radiation environment at Europa plays a similar role. This study can evolve into developing a time line of the surface features. This involves identifying the older areas of the surface using cross cutting techniques and judging the time differences in areas using knowledge of the weathering effects.