For as long as mankind has been aware of planets other than our own, there has been a prevailing question among scientists studying the cosmos: is there other life in the Universe? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), seeking to answer this question, has launched an unprecedented mission to Jupiter’s moon, Europa.
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), “Europa Clipper is the first mission designed to conduct a detailed study of Jupiter’s moon Europa. There’s scientific evidence that the ingredients for life may exist on Europa right now.”
The “Europa Clipper,” launched on Oct. 14, is currently en route to Europa and will travel 1.8 billion miles before reaching the moon in April 2030.
According to science.nasa.gov, “In 2031, the spacecraft will begin conducting its science-dedicated flybys of Europa. Coming as close as 16 miles (25 kilometers) to the surface.”
The spacecraft will conduct a total of 49 flybys, utilizing its extensive array of data collecting instruments and equipment.
However, this sophisticated technology requires a substantial amount of power, this is remedied by using the largest solar array that has ever been implemented for a mission to another planet.
According to the JPL, “With arrays extended, the spacecraft spans 100 feet (30.5 meters) from end to end. With propellant loaded, it weighs about 13,000 pounds (5,900 kilograms).”
The Europa clipper has three main objectives, these being to measure the thickness of the moon’s ice layer and how it interacts with the subsurface ocean beneath, to determine what it consists of molecularly and to reveal what minerals and compounds exist throughout the surface.
The extensive data the mission is expected to gather will help scientists to better understand the potential for life on worlds far from our home on Earth.
