Washington [US], April 12: AFP news agency reported on April 12 that US space scientists have just announced that an interplanetary probe will explore one of Jupiter 's icy moons , in an effort to search for extraterrestrial life .
In October, the unmanned Clipper spacecraft is scheduled to launch on Europa, one of dozens of moons orbiting Jupiter, the Solar System's largest planet and the closest in the celestial region. Ours can give life.
"One of the fundamental questions that NASA wants to understand is whether we are alone in the universe," said project scientist Bob Pappalardo.
"If we find the conditions for life and then one day actually find life in a place like Europa , it means that in our Solar System there are 2 examples of life: Earth Earth and Europa. That will be very important to understand how widespread life is throughout the universe," according to Mr. Pappalardo.
The $5 billion probe is currently located at NASA 's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California (USA), in a "clean room" - a closed area with only people dressed from head to toe. just got in.
Precautions are intended to ensure the probe does not transport Earth-bound bacteria to Europa.
After being transported to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (USA), Clipper prepared to launch on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket and begin a journey lasting more than 5 years, including crossing Mars to reach Mars. acceleration.
In 2031, it will be in orbit around Jupiter and Europa, beginning detailed studies of the moon, which scientists believe is covered in frozen water.
Scientists know thanks to Earth's harsh environments that tiny creatures can find supplies almost anywhere.
Conditions on Europa, roughly the size of Earth's moon, could provide similar habitats, raising the tantalizing prospect that we are not alone, even in our Solar System. me.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper