The Europa Clipper will launch in October 2024 with nine instruments to study Europa’s interior and oceans, geology, chemistry and habitability. The instruments will be protected from radiation by a 150kg titanium and aluminium shield. These instruments are:
A thermal emission imaging system used to detect areas of geological activity, such as vents that spray water jets into space.
Mapping Imaging Spectrometer, a near-infrared spectrometer used to analyze surfaces to identify and map the distribution of organics, salts, acid hydrates, water ice phases and other materials.
A visible-spectrum camera that will map much of Europa at 50-meter resolution. The camera will also provide images of selected surface areas at a resolution of up to 0.5 meters.
An ultraviolet spectrometer to detect small plumes and measure the composition and dynamics of the lunar exosphere.
A dual-frequency ice-detecting radar to characterize and detect Europa’s ice crust from the near surface to the ocean, revealing the hidden structure of Europa’s ice crust and potential water pockets inside.
a magnetometer.
An instrument used to measure the plasma around Europa to characterize the magnetic field produced by plasma currents. Along with a magnetometer, the instrument will measure Europa’s ice crust thickness, ocean depth and salinity.
A mass spectrometer that determines the composition of the surface and subsurface oceans by measuring Europa’s atmosphere and any surface material ejected into space.
Surface dust analyzer, a mass spectrometer, to measure the composition of small solid particles ejected from Europa. The instrument can identify traces of organic and inorganic compounds in ejecta ice.