The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is inviting fans and followers to send their names to Jupiter. While it may be unlikely for individuals to personally visit the largest planet in the Solar System during their lifetimes, NASA plans to send the Europa Clipper observation satellite to Jupiter’s icy Moon in 2024. SpaceX was awarded the contract for this mission a few years ago. As part of the mission, NASA is giving people the opportunity to have their names engraved and sent to Jupiter’s moon. It’s the closest they can get to an in-person visit to Europa.
NASA Encourages Making a Visit to Jupiter a Challenging Bucket List Achievement
In July 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX the contract for the Europa Clipper. This marked one of the first contracts taken away from the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. The SLS is currently the largest operational rocket in the world. However, it faced delays and cost overruns in 2021, leading to the selection of Falcon Heavy for the Europa Clipper mission.
The Clipper mission gained attention in 2020 when it was included in NASA’s budget request for the fiscal year 2021. In the request, NASA mentioned that the construction of the Europa Clipper spacecraft was expected to be completed by November 2023. The primary cost driver for the mission was the unavailability of the SLS, with estimated storage costs ranging from $36 million to $60 million if the SLS became available for launch in 2025.
The SLS had estimated launch costs of $900 million per launch in 2019, significantly higher than the $150 million price tag of the Falcon Heavy. However, launching with the SLS would have meant a faster arrival at Europa, while using the Falcon Heavy would require gravity assist turns in space for the Clipper satellite.
Is visiting Jupiter on your bucket list? Let’s face facts, it’s not going to happen. But have we got the next best thing for you! #SendYourName aboard @EuropaClipper when this intrepid spacecraft launches to study Jupiter’s icy moon in ’24.
Sign up today: https://t.co/tyDDEvIszk pic.twitter.com/NV5s2BWKOL— NASA 360 (@NASA360) October 28, 2023
With only 11 months remaining until the launch of the Clipper, NASA is now accepting submissions for people to have their names engraved on the satellite. This engraved satellite will embark on a 1.8 billion mile journey to Europa. Europa is one of the 95 moons that orbit Jupiter and is in close proximity to the planet. Scientists have theorized the possibility of extraterrestrial life on Europa, with potential oceans hidden beneath its surface.
In their call for submissions, NASA reminds readers that the chances of personally visiting Europa are slim. However, sending their name on a satellite orbiting the moon is the next best thing. Some NASA 360 followers have expressed their dissatisfaction with this statement, asserting that advancements in technology may make manned Europa missions achievable sooner than expected.
Crewed deep space exploration missions, like those to Europa, pose unique challenges as they enter uncharted territory. The moon currently serves as the farthest point humans have reached outside of Earth. These missions require spacecraft that can withstand solar radiation in regions such as the Van Allen Belts. Astronauts must traverse the Van Allen Belts for outer space missions, and as of now, no spacecraft is available for longer-duration journeys.
However, SpaceX’s Starship aims to be a comprehensive solution for lunar and outer space missions. The company is actively testing the rocket in Boca Chica, Texas, and recently conducted a simulated tanking rehearsal that completed all necessary preparations for launch, barring the ignition of the engines themselves.
