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Maybe, but slowing down enough to land is the problem. To convert from a flyby to landing, you need to burn a lot of fuel, to slow down. To get that fuel to th
by mabbo 5y ago
Maybe, but slowing down enough to land is the problem.
To convert from a flyby to landing, you need to burn a lot of fuel, to slow down. To get that fuel to the destination, you need to bring it with you. Which means a much higher take off mass, which needs an even bigger rocket.
Mars has a very light atmosphere, which lets us aerobrake- slow down by hitting the atmosphere, that way you don't need any extra fuel. Europa's atmosphere is basically non-existent.
- nradov 5y agoIn theory a spacecraft could partially aerobrake in Jupiter's atmosphere to save fuel. Then use a rocket to enter Europa's orbit.
- enraged_camel 5y agoThe problem is the intense radiation emitted by Jupiter, I think.
- Asraelite 5y agoAnd unlike Saturn, none of the other moons of Jupiter have a significant atmosphere that could be used unfortunately.
- matthewfelgate 5y agoThanks for the explanation. I hadn't considered the fuel to slow down for a landing.