NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to use Mars’ gravitational force to propel itself into deep space, where it will investigate whether Jupiter’s moon Europa is habitable. The orbiter will streak past Mars just 550 miles above the surface on March 1 as part of a gravity assist maneuver.
The close flyby offers a bonus opportunity for mission scientists to test their radar instrument and thermal imager. During the encounter, the spacecraft will use the gravitational pull of Mars to pump its brakes and reshape its orbit around the Sun.
After the Mars flyby, Europa Clipper will conduct another gravity assist in December 2026, using Earth’s gravitational force as a slingshot to give the spacecraft a velocity boost. The probe is set to arrive at Jupiter’s orbit in April 2030.
The mission relies on harnessing gravity assists from two planets to fuel efficiency and keep the spacecraft on its planned path. Without these assists, the 12,750-pound spacecraft would require additional propellant, adding weight and cost, or take much longer to reach Jupiter.
Europa Clipper’s three main science objectives are to determine the thickness of Europa’s icy shell and its interactions with the ocean below, investigate its composition, and characterize its geology. The mission will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/europa-clipper/nasas-europa-clipper-uses-mars-to-go-the-distance