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2mo ago

Europa Clipper Completes Key Mars Flyby, Validates Thermal Imaging System

NASA confirms successful calibration of Europa Clipper's instruments using Mars data, advancing its mission to explore Jupiter's moon Europa in 2030.

Image
This picture of Mars is a composite of several images captured by Europa Clipper’s thermal imager on March 1. Bright regions are relatively warm, with temperatures of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Darker areas are colder. The darkest region at the top is the northern polar cap and is about minus 190 F (minus 125 C). NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Overview

  • On March 1, 2025, Europa Clipper flew 550 miles above Mars, capturing over a thousand infrared images to test its Europa Thermal Imaging System (E-THEMIS).
  • The thermal images, transmitted to Earth starting May 5, were compiled into a colorized composite, confirming E-THEMIS is functioning as intended.
  • The flyby also allowed the spacecraft to test its radar system components together for the first time, with preliminary results indicating success.
  • Mars Odyssey’s THEMIS instrument provided comparative data to ensure the accuracy of Europa Clipper’s thermal imaging system.
  • Europa Clipper is now en route to its next gravity assist at Earth in 2026, with its ultimate goal of assessing Europa’s habitability through 49 planned flybys starting in 2031.