Konstantin Sukharnikov Scientific instrumentation

A hobby. An independent overview compiled from public sources by a science and space enthusiast. I am not involved in these missions or facilities; my own work is detector electronics at European XFEL. My projects →

Mission · Jupiter

Europa Clipper

Jupiter orbiter making repeated flybys of Europa

Status
Cruise
Launched
14 Oct 2024
Target
Jupiter and its moon Europa (~49 flybys)
Agencies
NASA, JPL
Next
3 Dec 2026 Earth gravity assist (~3,200 km)

Summary

NASA's largest planetary spacecraft. Its goal is to find out whether the ocean beneath Europa's icy crust could be habitable: the thickness of the ice, its composition, possible plumes of water. About 49 close flybys of Europa are planned.

Now as of 3 Nov 2026

Cruising. On 3 December 2026 it makes an Earth gravity assist at an altitude of about 3,200 km; together with the Mars flyby of March 2025 this gives it the energy to reach Jupiter (NASA, mission timeline). The flyby is the only chance after launch for an absolute calibration of the magnetometer against Earth's magnetic field (EGU26). Dates of 1 and 4 December also circulate; they are older estimates or a different time zone.

Key dates

  1. 14 Oct 2024Launch (Falcon Heavy)done
  2. 1 Mar 2025Mars gravity assistdone
  3. 3 Dec 2026Earth gravity assist (~3,200 km)planned
  4. Apr 2030Jupiter orbit insertionplanned
  5. 2031Science flybys of Europa beginplanned

Timeline

  1. 1 Mar 2025Mars gravity assist — JPL