In October 2024 , NASA will launch the Europa Clipper missions , which will locomote to Jupiter to study its 2d closest moonshine : Europa . The satellite shield a deep - water sea under a thick icy crust ; it is a world that might have the proper conditions for biography . And if you ’d care to make it more personal , your own name can be etched on a chip that will be included in the ballistic capsule .
Alongside the names of all the humans that decide to take part in this opening ( called “ subject matter in a Bottle ” ) , there is a wonderful verse form written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón and titled “ In Praise of Mystery : A Poem for Europa . ” you’re able to read the poem in English or Spanish and even hear Limón recite ithere – on the same page you’re able to fill in a chassis to send your name .
“ ‘ Message in a Bottle ’ is the perfect intersection of skill , art , and engineering , and we are excited to share with the world the chance to be a part of Europa Clipper ’s journey , ” Nicola Fox , associate administrator for NASA ’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington , said in astatement . “ I just love the thought that our names will be jaunt across our Solar System aboard the radiation - tolerant space vehicle that seeks to unlock the secrets of Jupiter ’s frozen moonlight . ”
This is not the first initiative to post one ’s name in deep outer space . Mars missions , Artemis I , and even older missions like Cassini , which launch in 1997 , had this form of public engagement initiative . For Cassini , the names were not etched in chips but the theme song had to be faxed ( at least back in Italy ) and then included on a CD - Rom placed within the workmanship .
The destination of this approach is to link up us to the stars , to inspire us to think of how far we can get , even if in name only .
“ Inspiration is what fuel the masses who developed this flagship mission and who handwriting - craft the gravid space vehicle NASA has direct to explore the Solar System . It ’s what beat back humanity to involve the big questions that this missionary post will contribute to , ” said Laurie Leshin , director of NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California , which leads the growing of Europa Clipper . “ Inspiration is rag along with every single name that will be making the journey to Europa . ”
The spacecraft will make Jupiter in 2030 and conduct 50 orbits of Europa . Its suite of instruments will reveal new insight into the subsurface sea , the ice impertinence , and the moon ’s ambience .
