As of: September 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
A kilometer-thick layer of ice – and beneath it is an ocean containing all the ingredients needed to make life possible. But how can this shield on Jupiter's moon Europa be penetrated with research tools?
“All these worlds are yours – except Europe. Don't try to land there!” is the clear message of an unknown intelligence in Arthur C. Clark “Odyssey 2010 – The Year We Connect”, sequel to“2001: A Space Odyssey.”
But neither the Europeans nor the Americans seem to be listening: In October, NASA wants to send the Europa Clipper space probe to Jupiter's giant moon. In this Synapse episode, host Lucy Kluth talks about these and other space missions, their challenges and goals with journalist Guido Mayer, whose areas of expertise include space travel.
Beneath the kilometer-thick ice layer of Jupiter's moon Europa is almost certainly a liquid saltwater ocean containing more water than any ocean on Earth. Since there is also an input of energy in the form of frictional heat from Jupiter's gravity, these are ideal conditions for life to arise. Something is more likely to crawl and move on the surface of Europa than on dry, boring Mars.
In addition to NASA with Europa Clipper, Europa is also on its way – and that has been since 2023: Joyce is scheduled to arrive in the Jupiter system before the American probe. If there is life on Europa, there's a good chance these two probes will discover evidence of it.
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