NASA -- The space agency has always been fond of exploring the parts of the outer space that seem to show a promising survival of life. Although studies show that it seems the Earth is the only livable planet in the Milky Way galaxy, NASA continues to search for many ways to make it possible for human life to survive on another planet. After the moon and the red planet, NASA is now bringing their attention to one of Jupiter's moon -- Europa.
NASA officials have been talking for years about sending a team to probe on Europa. Now, they are looking at locking down the plans and finally make it happen. The Clipper mission to Europa, as what scientists call it, will be releasing a spacecraft to the Jovian moon. It will look into the possibility of life survival. The move will definitely pave the way for progress to begin.
Currently, the agency is working on the finishing touches to the spacecraft designed for the trip. The administration is working on a possible launching of the spacecraft by 2023. This ensures that there will be a cost-effective method of the process, to which final testing will be done by 2025. Also, the administrators what to be sure that the process would be as cost-effective as possible.
The researchers behind the project first submitted their proposal to NASA officials in 2017. They revealed the design of a boxy lander that will be able to collect data from the surface as well as what is below it. The team did not wait for a "go signal" to move ahead with the project. They already conducted tests on the data antenna.
Although the moon remains to be on top of the potential places in the Solar System that shows it is possible for life to thrive in it, Europa of Jupiter is not far behind. Most of its crust is covered in water ice. Several incidents show that there might even be the presence of saltwater in these oceans in Europa moon of Jupiter. The goal is to find out if there is a potential presence of an ocean beneath the surface water for it could help NASA researchers find out if there is any evidence of life in it.
Clipper could also help decide whether a human visit to the planet is possible or not. Although the prospect of sending a delegation to Jupiter is far from being a reality today, people remain hopeful that this can be made possible.