Jupiter's moon Europa may have signs of life in its buried ocean - but can we get to them?

NASA's Europa Clipper mission is investigating whether Jupiter's moon Europa could support life by analyzing its subsurface ocean. New research suggests that the moon's icy shell may be a more significant barrier to sampling ocean water than previously thought.
Why it matters
Understanding the habitability of moons in our solar system is a critical step in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Search for Life Jupiter's moon Europa may have signs of life in its buried ocean - but can we get to them? News By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 3 August 2026 "This helps future missions interpret what they find and better understand where to look for signs of habitability."
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in