Specifically, the Europa Clipper spacecraft will have a mass spectrometer that can detect the presence of even “a small fraction of identifiable cellular material” in Europa’s ice, according to Klenner. The cost of the mission is estimated at $178 million.
NASA chose Europa to study because the Moon is rich in water and special nutrients, which could mean life existed on Jupiter’s moon. Scientists have long discovered that the existence of three main ingredients is required for life to emerge on a planet or moon: the optimum temperature that allows liquid water to exist, the presence of carbon-based molecules, and energy such as sunlight.
The spacecraft that NASA will send to Europa in October 2024 is expected to reach the Moon around 2030, and then it will become clear whether there are Earth-like life forms on Jupiter’s satellite.
“Our results give us greater confidence that we will be able to detect with future instruments Earth-like life forms, which we increasingly believe may be found on ocean-bearing moons,” said Fabian Klenner.
Source: Ferra
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