The largest spacecraft ever built for an interplanetary mission has begun its long journey to explore Europa, with the goal of uncovering the secrets of the ocean beneath the ice and possibly finding evidence of extraterrestrial life.
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Europa Clipper, the largest spacecraft ever built for an interplanetary mission, left the Kennedy Space Center to explore Europa, a moon of Jupiter. It will travel a distance of 3.5 billion km using the gravity of the planets in the solar system. After reaching Jupiter in 2030, it will explore the ocean below Europa's surface, which may be a possible habitat for life. Equipped with advanced instruments, including ice-penetrating radar and thermal imaging , the spacecraft aims to find out whether Europa can support life, thereby influencing our understanding of the possibilities for life in our solar system and beyond.
Overview of the launch and mission
The spacecraft was launched on Monday, October 14 at 12:06 p.m. using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Europa Clipper mission has three main scientific goals: to measure the thickness of Europa's icy crust and understand its interaction with the ocean below, to analyze the moon's compositions and to study its geological features. This in-depth investigation will help scientists assess the moon's potential to support life, thereby advancing our understanding of habitable environments beyond Earth.
Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft built by NASA for an interplanetary mission, and NASA's first mission focused exclusively on exploring the ocean world beyond Earth. The spacecraft will travel approximately 2.9 billion kilometers, utilizing gravity enhancements to efficiently navigate space. It will first pass by Mars for a gravity boost in four months, then return to Earth for another flyby in 2026. Upon arrival at Jupiter in April 2030, Europa Clipper will make 49 close flybys of Europa to gather information and insights.
Celebrations and milestones
"Congratulations to our Europa Clipper team on embarking on the first journey to an ocean world beyond Earth," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "NASA leads the world in exploration and discovery, and the Europa Clipper mission is no exception. By exploring the unknown, Europa Clipper will help us better understand whether there is potential for life not only in our solar system, but also among the billions of moons and planets beyond our sun."
About five minutes after launch, the second stage of the rocket was ignited and the front cone of the rocket opened to reveal the Europa Clipper spacecraft. An hour after launch, the spacecraft separated from the rocket. A ground coordinator received a signal shortly thereafter, and two-way communication was established at 1:13 p.m. with NASA's Deep Space Network facility located in Canberra, Australia. The mission teams celebrated when the initial telemetry reports showed that the Europa Clipper spacecraft was healthy and operating as planned.
Scientific objectives and equipment
"There are no words to describe the excitement of the extraordinary and unforgettable science that NASA's Europa Clipper mission will bring for generations to come," said Nikki Fox, NASA's Science Division chief in Washington.
The main goal of the mission is to determine if Europa has conditions that can support life. Europa is similar in size to our moon, but its face is different. Information from NASA's Galileo spacecraft mission in the 90s indicated that beneath Europa's ice lies a vast salty ocean with more water than all of Earth's oceans combined. Scientists have also found evidence that Europa may contain organic compounds and energy sources below the surface.
If the mission determines that Europa is habitable, it may imply that there are more habitable worlds in our solar system and beyond than imagined.
The future of the mission and continuation
"We are excited to send Europa Clipper on its way to explore a habitable ocean world, thanks to our colleagues and partners who have worked so hard to get to this day," said Laurie Leshin, NASA administrator at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California. "Europa Clipper will undoubtedly provide spectacular science . Although it's always a little sad to send something we've worked on for many years on a long journey, we're sure the amazing team and spacecraft will expand our knowledge of our solar system and strive to explore more in the future."
In 2031, the spacecraft will begin scientific flybys around Europa. As it approaches within 25 kilometers of the surface, it will use an ice-penetrating radar transmitter, cameras and thermal instruments to investigate warmer ice regions and new water eruptions. This is the most advanced set of scientific instruments NASA has ever sent to Jupiter, and they will work together to learn more about the moon's icy crust, thin atmosphere and deep interior.
To power the instruments in the weak sunlight that reaches Jupiter, Europa Clipper is equipped with the largest solar panels ever used by NASA for an interplanetary mission. When deployed, the panels are 30.5 meters long from side to side. When loaded with fuel compounds, it weighs about 6 tone.
More than 4,000 people have participated in the mission since it was officially approved in 2015.
“As Europa Clipper sets off on its journey, I will reflect on the endless hours of teamwork, innovation and dedication that underpinned this moment,” said Jordan Evans, NASA project manager. “This launch is not only the next chapter in the exploration of our solar system; This is a big step forward in uncovering the mystery of another ocean world, driven by our constant curiosity and the search for an answer to the question 'Are we alone?'"
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