Europa Clipper
In transitLaunched in 2024·En route to Jupiter
A spacecraft dedicated to Europa, Jupiter's moon whose global subsurface ocean is one of the best candidates for life.
Main objectives
- Characterize Europa's ocean and its potential habitability.
- Map the ice and any possible geysers.
- Prepare future landing missions to Europa.
Did you know?
It will perform ~50 close flybys of Europa — rather than orbiting directly — to limit radiation exposure.
Timeline
Oct 14, 2024
Launch
Falcon Heavy from the Kennedy Space Center.
Apr 11, 2030
Jupiter orbit insertion
Jan 01, 2031
Start of Europa flybys
Europa Clipper
Specifications
Mass
Solar panels
Discoveries
[01]- MilestoneBreakthroughLaunch toward EuropaOct 14, 2024
Mission milestones
[01]- MilestoneLaunchOct 14, 2024