I'll take whales
I hope anyone reading my original post does not think that I am against having a microphone on spacecraft....
I am ALL for it... just think it is a hard sell ...
There were many who were against having an imager on the Mars Observer spacecraft in 1990's, the feeling being that Viking mission had taken all the images any one would need. Well, MGS, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and MRO have certainly laid that to rest. In fact, many were against having an imager on the first space probes to the planets.... imaging is a data hog. And data bits are precious.
But I would love to have that additional sensory dimension and these space acoustics folks make a case...
What acoustics would a microphone placed on the surface of Enceladus by the tiger stripes hear? What groans on Europa? We all want to hear the winds and sand tremors on Mars.... I love the sound of winds blowing..... would love to hear that on other worlds.
Craig