Europa Clipper: Nasa's ocean world mission gets launch date

[Judi Lynn]

By Paul Rincon
Science editor, BBC News website

Published 5 days ago



NASA
The spacecraft should now arrive in the Jupiter system by 2030

A mission to study a moon of Jupiter that could be home to extra-terrestrial life has been given a launch date.

Nasa is sending a spacecraft to the icy world of Europa, which holds an ocean under its frozen outer shell.

Scientists have long regarded the moon as one of the most promising targets in the search for life elsewhere in our Solar System.

The Europa Clipper spacecraft will now launch to the jovian moon in October 2024, arriving in April 2030.

The spacecraft was to have launched on Nasa's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. But the space agency is reported to no longer be considering that launch vehicle.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56031261

[abqtommy]

1. I've got mixed feelings about this. It's an amazing achievement but the money would sure go

a long way towards helping those impacted by weather and social events like flooding, drought
and famine here on Earth. But then if we really wanted to we could take care of it all.

[ironman99]

2. Back to the Past

It seems to me this was the same argument about going to the moon in the 70s. Well guess what, technology from the moon missions gave us the little pocket computer you have in your purse or pocket among other devices that are standard in our lives.

There are other places where there are huge wastes of money that we can use to deal with the things you described. The moon missions gave us Sally Ride who inspired millions of girls to pursue STEM subjects so that having female scientists is not a strange thing nor is having a woman as VP or part of Defense or the IC.

I say this as a male who is a child of the computer and space ages.

[Javaman]

3. ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS - EXCEPT EUROPA. ATTEMPT NO LANDING THERE. nt

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

4. I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that n/t

[Javaman]

5. Hal, just open the air lock. nt