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The Europa Clipper Can Find the Best Landing Sites on the Ocean Moon
There's a well-established paradigm in planetary body exploration. It begins with a flyby, then later an orbiter, and then, if possible, a lander. Previous spacecraft have performed single flybys of Europa, and the Europa Clipper orbiter is on its way to Jupiter's moon Europa for a more detailed orbital study of the frozen moon. Hopefully, a lander will follow. A presentation at the recent Lunar and Planetary Science Conference showed how the Europa Clipper can help find the best landing sites on the icy ocean moon for a future Europa lander.
There's a well-established paradigm in planetary body exploration. It begins with a flyby, then later an orbiter, and then, if possible, a lander. Previous spacecraft have performed single flybys of Europa, and the Europa Clipper orbiter is on its way to Jupiter's moon Europa for a more detailed orbital study of the frozen moon. Hopefully, a lander will follow. A presentation at the recent Lunar and Planetary Science Conference showed how the Europa Clipper can help find the best landing sites on the icy ocean moon for a future Europa lander.
