NASA spacecraft to study whether Jupiter's moon Europa can harbor life
SUMMARY
NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft on October 14th, 2024, to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, which is considered a prime candidate for extraterrestrial life. The mission aims to investigate the moon's subsurface ocean, believed to contain twice the water found in all of Earth's oceans, and assess whether conditions beneath its icy shell could support life. Bonnie Buratti, the mission's deputy project scientist, stated, “There is very strong evidence that the ingredients for life exist on Europa.” The spacecraft will conduct 49 flybys, measuring ice thickness, analyzing chemical composition, and examining geological features. The mission is the first to characterize habitability on a potential "ocean world" in our solar system. Gina DiBraccio, acting director of NASA's planetary science division, noted that Europa Clipper will provide insights into the conditions necessary for life, highlighting the potential for groundbreaking discoveries.
