NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to fly close to Mars today, March 1, as part of its journey to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The spacecraft will glide just 550 miles above the Red Planet’s surface, using the planet’s gravity to adjust its trajectory and position itself for a critical phase in its 2.9-billion-kilometer trek.
Launched in October 2024, the $5.2 billion mission is designed to gather data on Europa, which scientists suspect could harbor life. The spacecraft will harness Mars’ gravity without expending additional propellant, thanks to a meticulously planned loop around the planet.
During its closest approach, the probe’s thermal imager and radar instrument will be tested, marking the first time all its components will be tested together. The mission team is eager for this flyby, which provides an opportunity to test the spacecraft’s instruments in real-world conditions.
The Europa Clipper is scheduled to reach its destination, Jupiter, in April 2030, after passing by Earth in December 2026 and using a straightforward trajectory. With flawless operations so far, NASA has successfully planned this historic flyby, making it a significant step forward in the search for life beyond our planet.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/mars/nasas-europa-clipper-will-fly-close-to-mars-this-saturday-on-way-to-jupiters-icy-moon