NASA's Europa Clipper mission has launched to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, aiming to determine if its vast subsurface ocean can support life. The spacecraft will fly 1.8 billion miles, conducting 49 flybys of the icy moon to gather critical data on its potential habitability.
NASA launched its Europa Clipper spacecraft from Florida on Monday to investigate whether Jupiter's moon Europa could support life, particularly focusing on its subsurface ocean beneath an icy outer shell.
The spacecraft, launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is expected to orbit Jupiter by 2030 after a 1.8 billion-mile journey. Europa Clipper is NASA's largest planetary spacecraft, at about 100 feet long and 58 feet wide with antennas and solar arrays, weighing around 13,000 pounds.
Europa, smaller than Earth but rich in water, may contain twice as much water as Earth's oceans beneath a thick icy layer.
NASA's Jim Free emphasized that Europa has one of the best environments for potential habitability in our solar system, although the mission won't search for life directly.
Sandra Connelly added that the moon has "water, energy, chemistry, and stability," crucial conditions for supporting life. The mission aims to study the internal ocean, map the surface, and look for water vapor plumes. Europa Clipper will complete 49 close flybys starting in 2031.
Facing intense radiation from Jupiter's magnetic field, Europa Clipper's electronics will be protected by a titanium-aluminum vault. The spacecraft will fly by Mars and Earth to gain momentum before reaching Jupiter, with solar arrays providing power for its nine instruments and subsystems.
NASA has raised the probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 striking Earth in 2032 to 3.1%, making it the most threatening space rock recorded in modern forecasting. While the risk is still low, experts emphasize the need for continued monitoring.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide stunning insights into the universe.
NASA has swapped the capsule for its upcoming Crew-10 mission, using a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon instead of a delayed new one. The move brings forward the launch date to March 12, allowing an earlier return for two astronauts stranded aboard the ISS.
The year 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal period for commercial lunar exploration, with half a dozen missions slated to launch over the coming months. These ventures, led by private companies under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, mark a significant expansion of commercial
Santa Clara, CA, February 17, 2025 – Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang dismissed market concerns over DeepSeek’s recent release of its R1 open source reasoning model, arguing that the technological advancement will ultimately benefit the broader AI ecosystem rather than harm Nvidia’s business.
Google is expected to face charges from the European Commission for breaching rules designed to rein in the power of Big Tech, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Peru - the roof of a food court collapsed, killing at least 3 people and injuring 74 others.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have reached a historic border agreement, potentially ending a century-long dispute. The deal, hailed as a breakthrough, covers delimitation, water, and infrastructure issues. If finalized, it could ease tensions and support political, economic, and social cooperation.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Peru - the roof of a food court collapsed, killing at least 3 people and injuring 74 others.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have reached a historic border agreement, potentially ending a century-long dispute. The deal, hailed as a breakthrough, covers delimitation, water, and infrastructure issues. If finalized, it could ease tensions and support political, economic, and social cooperation.
Santa Clara, CA, February 17, 2025 – Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang dismissed market concerns over DeepSeek’s recent release of its R1 open source reasoning model, arguing that the technological advancement will ultimately benefit the broader AI ecosystem rather than harm Nvidia’s business.
Google is expected to face charges from the European Commission for breaching rules designed to rein in the power of Big Tech, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Peru - the roof of a food court collapsed, killing at least 3 people and injuring 74 others.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have reached a historic border agreement, potentially ending a century-long dispute. The deal, hailed as a breakthrough, covers delimitation, water, and infrastructure issues. If finalized, it could ease tensions and support political, economic, and social cooperation.
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