Explore the outer reaches of the solar system with the Europa Clipper, equipped with the most advanced and sensitive scientific instruments ever designed for such a mission. Set to embark on its journey to Jupiter in October 2024, this spacecraft aims to unravel the mysteries of Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, and investigate the potential for life in its enigmatic depths. Upon reaching Jupiter in 2030, the Europa Clipper will execute approximately 50 flybys of Europa, dynamically altering its flight path for each encounter to meticulously survey various locations.
As an innovative touch, the Europa Clipper will carry not only cutting-edge scientific instruments but also a poetic masterpiece and the names of thousands. Join NASA’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ campaign, an extraordinary opportunity inviting global participation. By signing your name to a poem crafted by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, you can etch your identity onto a special chip, along with the chance to include your friends’, family members’, or even your pet’s names. The cost? A mere $0.00. Seize this unique chance to be part of a cosmic journey!
The campaign, closing at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 31, has already garnered nearly a million names. Here’s how you can join:
Steps to Sign Up for NASA’s ‘Message in a Bottle’ Campaign:
- Visit – NASA Europa Clipper
- Select the ‘Send Your Name’ option on the homepage.
- Enter your name, email ID, and country details.
- Submit, and you’ll receive a message confirming your name’s addition to the ‘Message in a Bottle.’ Download, print, and share your custom artwork!
Europa Clipper Mission’s Main Objectives: The Europa Clipper’s primary scientific goals focus on uncovering the potential habitability below the surface of Europa. The three key objectives include understanding the nature of the ice shell and the subsurface ocean, along with comprehending the moon’s composition and geology. This detailed exploration will contribute to our understanding of astrobiological possibilities for habitable worlds beyond Earth.
Distinguished by its colossal solar arrays and radar antennas, the Europa Clipper holds the title of NASA’s largest spacecraft developed for a planetary mission. Standing at about 16 feet (5 meters) in height, with deployed arrays spanning over 100 feet (30.5 meters), and a dry mass of 7,145 pounds (3,241 kg), this spacecraft is poised to make groundbreaking discoveries in the distant realm of Jupiter. Don’t miss the chance to make your mark on this interplanetary adventure by sending your name to Jupiter with NASA’s Europa Clipper.
