NASA is gearing up for the launch of its Europa Clipper spacecraft, scheduled for October 10, to discover Jupiter’s mysterious moon, Europa. The mission, carrying a price ticket of $5 billion, goals to uncover whether or not the icy moon might harbor life beneath its frozen floor.
The spacecraft not too long ago handed a vital assessment, confirming its skill to outlive the extraordinary radiation setting round Europa.“We’re prepared for Jupiter,” stated Jordan Evans, mission supervisor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, after months of rigorous testing on Europa Clipper’s transistors, which had raised issues earlier this 12 months as a consequence of reliability points seen in different tasks, AP Information Company reported.
The transistors are anticipated to degrade in the course of the spacecraft’s 49 flybys of Europa however will recuperate throughout three-week intervals between every flyby.
A slender window for launch
The mission’s timing is crucial. Set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, Europa Clipper has a slender three-week window for liftoff. If it misses this slot, NASA must wait over a 12 months for the subsequent favorable planetary alignment, which requires gravity assists from each Mars and Earth.
Six years to Jupiter
As soon as launched, it’ll take the biggest spacecraft NASA has ever constructed for planetary examine six years to achieve Jupiter. Upon arrival, Europa Clipper will orbit the gasoline big each three weeks, capturing detailed knowledge on Europa’s floor throughout shut flybys, some as close to as 16 miles. The spacecraft, spanning over 100 ft with its photo voltaic panels deployed, will map practically the whole moon utilizing high-tech devices, together with an ice-penetrating radar.
Image of Earth’s connection
Europa, recognized for its subsurface ocean with greater than twice the water present in Earth’s oceans, holds the potential for harboring life. Europa Clipper will carry a triangular steel plate symbolizing Earth’s connection to this enigmatic moon, because it embarks on a mission that might change our understanding of the universe.
Because the launch date approaches, NASA’s group stays assured. “We’ve examined every part attainable to make sure a profitable journey,” stated Evans.
The spacecraft not too long ago handed a vital assessment, confirming its skill to outlive the extraordinary radiation setting round Europa.“We’re prepared for Jupiter,” stated Jordan Evans, mission supervisor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, after months of rigorous testing on Europa Clipper’s transistors, which had raised issues earlier this 12 months as a consequence of reliability points seen in different tasks, AP Information Company reported.
The transistors are anticipated to degrade in the course of the spacecraft’s 49 flybys of Europa however will recuperate throughout three-week intervals between every flyby.
A slender window for launch
The mission’s timing is crucial. Set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, Europa Clipper has a slender three-week window for liftoff. If it misses this slot, NASA must wait over a 12 months for the subsequent favorable planetary alignment, which requires gravity assists from each Mars and Earth.
Six years to Jupiter
As soon as launched, it’ll take the biggest spacecraft NASA has ever constructed for planetary examine six years to achieve Jupiter. Upon arrival, Europa Clipper will orbit the gasoline big each three weeks, capturing detailed knowledge on Europa’s floor throughout shut flybys, some as close to as 16 miles. The spacecraft, spanning over 100 ft with its photo voltaic panels deployed, will map practically the whole moon utilizing high-tech devices, together with an ice-penetrating radar.
Image of Earth’s connection
Europa, recognized for its subsurface ocean with greater than twice the water present in Earth’s oceans, holds the potential for harboring life. Europa Clipper will carry a triangular steel plate symbolizing Earth’s connection to this enigmatic moon, because it embarks on a mission that might change our understanding of the universe.
Because the launch date approaches, NASA’s group stays assured. “We’ve examined every part attainable to make sure a profitable journey,” stated Evans.