NASA has published a press release on the progress of the Europa Clipper mission. The spacecraft is in good technical condition and is preparing for its first gravity maneuver.
The Europa Clipper mission was launched in October. Its target is Europa, a moon of Jupiter, which hides a huge ocean beneath its icy surface. Europa Clipper is tasked with exploring this unusual world and assessing its viability.
The journey to Europa will take six years. During this time, the vehicle will have to perform two gravitational maneuvers. The first of them will take place in just three months — and NASA specialists are already preparing for it. They have a list of actions to take turns as the mission progresses.
Immediately after launch, the spacecraft deployed its massive solar panels, whose span is comparable to the length of a basketball court. Next on the list was the magnetometer boom, which uncoiled from a canister mounted on the body of the vehicle and extended 8.5 meters.
After the magnetometer, the spacecraft deployed several antennas of its radar instrument. Two pairs of high-frequency antennas extended crosswise from the solar panels to form two booms, each 17.6 meters long. Eight rectangular high-frequency antennas 2.76 meters long were also deployed: two pairs each on two solar panels.
The remaining seven science instruments will be turned on and off throughout December and January to allow engineers to test their performance. Several instruments, including the camera and gas and dust mass spectrometers, will keep their protective covers closed for the next three years. This is necessary to protect them from possible damage from the Sun during Europa Clipper’s stay in the inner solar system.
The next major event of the mission is scheduled for March 1, 2025. On that day, Europa Clipper will make a flyby of Mars and use its gravity for acceleration. The mission’s navigators have already performed one trajectory correction maneuver that put the spacecraft on the correct course. During the visit to Mars, scientists plan to activate the thermal imager to make sure it works properly. Similar tests are planned with the Europa Clipper radar.
In December 2026, Europa Clipper will perform another gravitational maneuver — this time near Earth. Engineers plan to use this rendezvous to calibrate its magnetometer. After rendezvousing with Earth, Europa Clipper will finally head for Jupiter. The spacecraft will reach the planet in 2030.
Provided by NASA
