The question of life beyond Earth has long been the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories. However, NASA is preparing to scientifically confirm or debunk this mystery.
This evening (Monday, October 14), around 6:00 PM, the much-anticipated mission to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa will launch. The spacecraft, named Europa Clipper, will take off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to explore whether Europa might hold the key to answering one of the most fundamental questions about our solar system and beyond: “Are we alone?” NASA stated.
Previous missions have suggested that Europa could be hiding an ocean beneath its icy surface. Scientists believe they might discover the “ingredients for life”—water, chemistry, and energy—making Europa a potential host for organic compounds, which are the building blocks of life.
Europa Clipper is the first mission dedicated to thoroughly studying this Jupiter moon. However, the results will take time, as Europa is 2.9 billion kilometers away from Earth, and the journey will take six years. Once the spacecraft reaches Europa in 2030, it will conduct 49 close flybys, searching for signs of energy sources beneath the moon’s surface.
