NASA is Sending Europa Clipper to Search for Aliens Near Jupiter’s Moon
DA Gadgets 
In
the
next
few
weeks,
NASA
will
embark
on
a
significant
mission
to
Europa,
the
fourth-largest
moon
of
Jupiter.
Named
Europa
Clipper,
this
spacecraft
is
designed
to
search
for
potential
signs
of
life.
While
Mars
is
often
the
focal
point
in
the
quest
for
life
beyond
Earth,
Europa
presents
a
promising
alternative
due
to
its
potential
liquid
water,
which
is
considered
essential
for
life
as
we
understand
it.
Although
delays
have
occurred
due
to
Hurricane
Milton,
NASA’s
plan
to
launch
the
mission
remains
intact.
Why
Europa
Holds
Potential
for
Life
Mars
may
be
the
easiest
target
to
explore
for
life,
but
Europa,
along
with
some
of
Saturn’s
moons,
could
be
better
candidates.
Liquid
water
is
crucial
for
life,
and
on
Earth,
it
supports
the
chemical
reactions
that
allow
living
organisms
to
exist.
Scientists
believe
that
Europa,
like
Saturn’s
moons
Titan
and
Enceladus,
has
vast
subsurface
oceans
beneath
its
icy
exterior.
This
possibility
makes
Europa
a
compelling
target
for
the
search
for
extraterrestrial
life.
What
the
Europa
Clipper
Will
Do
Equipped
with
nine
sophisticated
instruments,
the
Europa
Clipper
will
closely
examine
the
moon’s
surface,
searching
for
signs
of
life
beneath
the
thick
ice
sheet.
The
spacecraft
will
use
thermal
imaging,
spectrometers,
and
cameras
to
detect
any
unusual
heat
or
chemical
activity.
One
of
its
key
objectives
is
to
locate
and
study
potential
water
plumes
erupting
from
the
surface,
giving
insight
into
the
moon’s
subsurface
oceans.
Although
it
will
take
the
spacecraft
over
five
years
to
reach
Jupiter’s
orbit,
this
mission
marks
a
crucial
step
in
exploring
Europa.
While
the
Clipper
won’t
be
able
to
confirm
life
itself,
its
findings
could
lead
to
more
in-depth
future
missions,
bringing
us
closer
to
discovering
life
beyond
Earth.
