Why Does NASA Want to Explore Jupiter’s Ocean Moon?

NASA wants to explore Jupiter’s ocean moon because it might have water, and maybe even life, hiding under its icy surface.

Imagine you’re playing with a big ball of ice in the bathtub, and there's a warm, wiggly creature swimming inside it. That’s what scientists think could be happening on one of Jupiter’s moons called Europa. It has an icy crust, like a thick layer of frozen chocolate on top of a hidden ocean.

If we could melt the ice on Europa, we might find a big, salty ocean, just like Earth's oceans. And if there’s water, there could be tiny creatures, maybe even ones that look nothing like us, swimming in it.

NASA wants to send robots to check out this hidden playground and see if life is hiding under the ice. It's like peeling back a frozen treat to find something exciting inside! NASA wants to explore Jupiter’s ocean moon because it might have water, and maybe even life, hiding under its icy surface.

Imagine you’re playing with a big ball of ice in the bathtub, and there's a warm, wiggly creature swimming inside it. That’s what scientists think could be happening on one of Jupiter’s moons called Europa. It has an icy crust, like a thick layer of frozen chocolate on top of a hidden ocean.