Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk), the titular alien in USA Network’s Resident Alien, comes from a distant planet near the Mizar-Alcor star system. On this planet, an intelligent alien species similar to the earthly octopus resides and plots against humanity. Traditionally, when considering where to search for life elsewhere in the universe, the focus has been on planets resembling our own. Typically, we envision aliens living on rocky planets within their parent star’s habitable zone, but the reality could be much stranger.
On Monday, October 14, NASA launched a large interplanetary spacecraft on a 6-year journey to Jupiter. Upon reaching the Jovian system, NASA’s Europa Clipper will conduct numerous flybys of the icy moon Europa, searching for signs of habitability. If Europa Clipper discovers anything in the solar system’s outer regions, it could revolutionize our understanding and search for extraterrestrial life.
Europa Clipper, NASA’s spacecraft for alien exploration, en route to Jovian moon Europa
Europa Clipper was launched atop a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 29A at Kennedy Space Center at 12:06 Eastern time on October 14. This is NASA’s largest interplanetary spacecraft ever constructed (the International Space Station remains the largest overall spacecraft) and the first designed to explore an ocean world.
Shortly after liftoff, the launch rocket’s first stage placed Europa Clipper into orbit. Subsequently, the second stage activated, and the rocket’s nose cone opened to reveal the spacecraft. Approximately an hour later, Europa Clipper separated from the rocket and continued towards its initial destination: Mars.
To reach the necessary speed, Europa Clipper will require a few gravity assists, making several stops before venturing into deep space. According to its current trajectory, the spacecraft will reach Mars’ orbit in February 2025. It will utilize the planet’s gravity to accelerate and head back towards the inner solar system. In December 2026, it will briefly return to Earth’s vicinity for another gravity assist before traveling around 1.8 billion miles to Jupiter and ultimately Europa.
“Congratulations to our Europa Clipper team for embarking on the first journey to an ocean world beyond Earth,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA is a leader in exploration and discovery, and the Europa Clipper mission is no exception. By exploring the unknown, Europa Clipper will help us better comprehend the potential for life not only within our solar system but among the countless moons and planets beyond our Sun.”
The spacecraft will approach within 16 miles of Europa’s surface equipped with nine instruments including ice-penetrating radar, cameras, thermal instruments for measuring surface temperatures, and more. To power these instruments at a distance of approximately half a billion miles from the Sun, the largest solar array ever used for an interplanetary mission was constructed. Shortly after launch, Europa Clipper successfully deployed its solar panels, extending to its full 100-foot wingspan.
The primary objective of Europa Clipper is to assess if Europa possesses conditions conducive to supporting life. Initial data collected by other spacecraft and terrestrial astronomers suggest that Europa hosts a global subsurface saltwater ocean larger than all of Earth’s oceans combined. Additionally, there are indications of organic compounds and energy sources (thermal vents) within the water, providing the essential components for life. Beginning in 2031, with the first of 49 flybys, Europa Clipper will strive to determine the thickness of the ice shell, interactions between the surface and the subsurface ocean, and the moon’s composition and geology. With any luck, we may discover that we are not alone.
While waiting for more information, be sure to catch up on Resident Alien, currently streaming on Peacock.
