Skip to content
SpaceWonder

    Type to search · ↑↓ to move · Enter to open

    NASA · Orbiter

    Europa Clipper

    The largest planetary spacecraft NASA has built, designed to make about 49 close flybys of Europa to assess whether its ocean could support life.

    En routeCruising to Jupiter; arrival planned for April 2030.

    Launch date

    2024-10-14

    Destination

    Jupiter system — Europa

    Agencies

    NASA

    Objectives

    • Measure the ice shell and subsurface ocean
    • Study Europa's composition and geology
    • Search for current activity such as plumes

    Spacecraft

    About 6,000 kg at launch with solar arrays spanning about 30.5 m

    Scientific instruments and systems

    • Europa Imaging System
    • REASON ice-penetrating radar
    • MISE infrared spectrometer
    • Europa-UVS
    • MASPEX
    • SUDA
    • Magnetometer

    Timeline

    1. 2024-10-14Launch on Falcon Heavy
    2. 2025-03-01Mars gravity assist
    3. 2026-12Planned Earth gravity assist
    4. 2030-04Planned Jupiter orbit insertion

    Major achievements

    • Largest spacecraft NASA has developed for a planetary mission

    Status reviewed 2026-10-23. For official images and the latest updates, visit the agency pages listed under Sources.