A spacecraft launched by NASA is on a mission to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, in search of clues about the potential for life in its vast hidden ocean. Europa Clipper will travel for 5 1/2 years to reach Jupiter, where it will orbit the gas giant and make multiple flybys of Europa.
Scientists believe that Europa has a deep, global ocean beneath its icy surface, making it a promising candidate for finding extraterrestrial life. While Europa Clipper will not directly search for life, it will look for the necessary ingredients to support life, such as organic compounds, as it investigates the conditions below the moon’s icy crust.
The spacecraft faced some challenges before its launch, including concerns about its transistors being vulnerable to Jupiter’s intense radiation field. However, after thorough review and preparations, the mission proceeded as planned, with SpaceX launching Clipper on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Clipper, about the size of a basketball court with its solar wings extended, will use gravity assists from Mars and Earth to reach Jupiter in 2030. Once in orbit around Jupiter, the spacecraft will make close passes of Europa, getting as close as 16 miles above the moon’s surface. Onboard radar will attempt to penetrate Europa’s thick ice sheet to explore the ocean below, which could be over 80 miles deep.
The mission is expected to last until 2034, providing valuable insights into the potential habitability of Europa and other ocean worlds in our solar system. Scientists believe that if conditions are favorable for life on Europa, it could open up the possibility of finding life on other moons, such as Enceladus, Saturn’s moon, which also has an underground ocean and geysers.
Exploring these ocean worlds could provide crucial information about the potential for life beyond Earth, expanding our understanding of the universe and our place in it. Stay updated on the latest news and discoveries in space exploration by joining our newsletter for regular updates delivered directly to your inbox.
