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[TECHNOLOGY] · United States · 3 sources

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NASA's Europa Clipper mission prepares to study Jupiter's moon

NASA's Europa Clipper mission is currently in transit to the Jovian system to investigate whether Jupiter's moon, Europa, possesses the necessary conditions to support life. Launched on October 14, 2024, via a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the spacecraft is expected to arrive at Jupiter in April 2030.

The mission focuses on determining habitability by searching for liquid water, essential chemical elements, and energy sources. Scientists believe a massive liquid ocean may exist beneath Europa's thick icy crust, potentially containing more than twice the water found in all of Earth's oceans combined.

Rather than landing on the moon, the spacecraft will enter orbit around Jupiter and conduct 49 close flybys of Europa. Current efforts are focused on instrument calibration and testing to ensure the probe can withstand the intense radiation environments it will encounter near Jupiter.

Entities

Europa · Europa Clipper · Jupiter · NASA · SpaceX

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