Feature
Why Europa?
By Jon Kelvey
September 2024
While those interested in the question of life beyond Earth were busy parsing data from the numerous spacecraft sent to Mars over the decades, other scientists were advocating for construction of Europa Clipper, an orbiter now awaiting launch on a mission that could determine whether this icy moon deserves to join Mars in the search for life. Jon Kelvey looks at the science at stake as NASA weighs a potential survivability flaw that has complicated this year’s launch plans.