Europa Clipper

The Europa Clipper mission is designed to investigate Jupiter’s moon Europa and examine its potential for habitability.

Mission Objective

Europa Clipper’s mission is to determine whether Europa has the conditions that are suitable for life by conducting a detailed exploration of the moon’s surface and subsurface and focusing on its icy shell and the potential ocean beneath it.

Mission Significance

Europa is believed to have a wide ocean beneath its icy crust, possibly containing more than twice the water of all Earth’s oceans combined. Studying and examining Europa’s structure, geology, and chemistry might provide another source of habitability in our Solar System.

Source: JPL

Instrument’s Characteristics

• Width: 30m (when solar arrays are deployed).
• Height: 5m
• Weight: 6000kg (at launch).
• Propulsion System: 24 Engines

Europa Clipper exhibits the most sophisticated suite of nine science instruments NASA has ever sent to the Jupiter system. It includes high-resolution cameras for detailed surface mapping, as well as dual-frequency radar capable of penetrating ice to assess its thickness and search for hidden subsurface lakes. Additional tools analyse surface composition, atmospheric components, and charged particles, offering insights into the moon’s atmosphere and possible plumes.

The Europa Clipper plaque, featuring the signatures of Acktar personnel who contributed to the project

Acktar contributed the mission by coating the E-THMIS instrument. To read more about E-TEHMIS and our particular contribution, click here.

Europa Clipper Route

Instead of taking a direct route towards the target, the spacecraft will perform a series of gravity assist manoeuvres to minimize energy consumption for the journey. First, it will pass Mars, and then it will pass near Earth twice to use its gravity to gain speed and correct its trajectory. However, the spacecraft won’t orbit Europa directly, since Jupiter’s magnetic field is highly radiative, and the icy moon is at a problematic point. Alternatively, it will orbit Jupiter and conduct approximately 50 close flybys of Europa. These flybys will allow the spacecraft to study the moon from different angles while avoiding Jupiter’s intense radiation zones, which could harm onboard systems.

Read more about the Europa Clipper timeline on  – science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/

Europe Surface from Galileo spacecraft, 1990. Source: NASA

The Europa Clipper mission stands as one of the most thrilling assignments of the coming decade, since it marks a significant advancement in astrobiology, addressing one of humanity’s foremost questions: Are we alone in the universe?

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