In its statement, NASA said the Europa Clipper spacecraft is set up to introduce in October 2024 on top of a Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39A. It has actually also exposed that the contract will cost the firm around $178 million– a deal, compared to what it wouldve cost to launch the objective on top of NASAs Space Launch System rocket.
As Ars Technica keeps in mind, Congress originally urged NASA to utilize the SLS to release the Europa Clipper. At the time, though, the White House estimated a single SLS launch to cost a tremendous $2 billion.
If Europa Clipper releases in October 2024 as prepared, it will reach Jupiters orbit in April 2030. The probe will then examine whether the icy moon genuinely has conditions ideal for life. Itll record “high-resolution images of Europas surface, identify its composition, search for indications of ongoing or recent geological activity, determine the density of the moons icy shell, look for subsurface lakes, and figure out the depth and salinity of Europas ocean.” All items recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories consist of affiliate links. We might make an affiliate commission if you purchase something through one of these links.