NASA’s Europa Clipper—a mission to a potentially habitable ocean world
S. M. Howell, R. T. Pappalardo
Abstract
Jupiter’s satellite Europa almost certainly hides a global saltwater ocean beneath its icy surface. Chemistry at the ice surface and ocean-rock interface might provide the building blocks for life, and NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will assess Europa’s habitability.
Topics & Concepts
AstrobiologyHabitabilityClipper (electronics)Icy moonTitan (rocket family)ExoplanetJupiter (rocket family)PlanetEnvironmental scienceGeologyAstronomyPhysicsSpacecraftEngineeringSaturnMechanical engineeringAstro and Planetary SciencePlanetary Science and ExplorationSpacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies