NASA's ambitious plan to send a cryptic human message to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, is underway, driven by the belief that this enigmatic moon could harbor alien life. Dubbed the "Message in a Bottle" campaign, this initiative is set to launch aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft, scheduled for departure sometime in October this year with an anticipated arrival at Europa in 2031.
As part of this initiative, over 2.6 million people have had their names etched onto a microchip, compact enough to fit on a dime, crafted at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles County. Additionally, NASA plans to dispatch a metal commemorative plate measuring 7 by 11 inches, adorned with graphic elements and featuring the poem "In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa" by US poet Laureate Ada Limón.
Lori Glaze, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, emphasizes the significance of the commemorative plate, stating that it symbolizes humanity's collective endeavors in science, technology, education, art, and mathematics. The poem, focusing on the theme of connection through water, underscores Earth's link to the mysterious ocean world awaiting exploration.
The Europa Clipper mission, set to explore Europa, Jupiter's Galilean moon, will delve into its terrain, studying aspects ranging from ocean salinity levels to the chemical composition of its icy crust. By conducting repeated flybys, the mission aims to detect organic compounds like sulphates and carbonates, potentially shedding light on the possibility of life beyond our planet.
For more details on NASA's intriguing initiative to send a cryptic human message to Jupiter's moon Europa, check out the full article: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/nasa-reveals-message-bottle-aliens-32376270