NASA Invites Public to Sign Poem That Will Fly Aboard Europa Clipper


NASA is inviting the public to sign their names to a poem that will fly aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The poem, written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is titled “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa.” The poem will be etched onto a microchip and placed on the spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in October 2024.

Europa is a moon of Jupiter that is thought to have a vast ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface. Scientists believe that this ocean could potentially harbor life, making Europa one of the most important targets for future exploration.

The Europa Clipper mission will conduct 34 flybys of Europa, during which it will use its instruments to study the moon’s surface, atmosphere, and ocean. The mission is expected to launch in October 2024 and arrive at Jupiter in 2027.

The “Message in a Bottle” campaign is a way for the public to participate in the Europa Clipper mission and to show their support for space exploration. To sign the poem, visit the Europa Clipper website and enter your name. The deadline to sign the poem is December 31, 2023.

“We are excited to offer the public this opportunity to be a part of the Europa Clipper mission,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “This mission has the potential to make groundbreaking discoveries about Europa, and we hope that the public will join us in this journey of exploration.”

The Europa Clipper mission is a critical step in NASA’s journey to Mars. By studying Europa, scientists will learn more about the potential for life beyond Earth and about the conditions that are necessary for life to exist. This information will be invaluable as NASA plans future missions to Mars and other planets.

“The Europa Clipper mission is a stepping stone to Mars,” said Zurbuchen. “By studying Europa, we will learn more about the potential for life beyond Earth and about the conditions that are necessary for life to exist. This information will be invaluable as we plan future missions to Mars and other planets.”

The “Message in a Bottle” campaign is a unique opportunity for the public to participate in space exploration and to show their support for the Europa Clipper mission. By signing the poem, people from all over the world can join together in a journey of discovery that will help us learn more about our place in the universe.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023

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