The POT prepares the final details for the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft, a spacecraft that will travel to Jupiter's moon Europa in October of this year.
Europa (Jupiter's moon) is believed to have a crust of ice on the surface and water in its most liquid version below. This makes us think that there is life inside this rocky body, and that is precisely what this mission of the North American space agency will certify.
Following the historic tradition of POT To send inspiring messages to space, the agency has special plans for Europa Clipper.
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In June of last year we reported the first report of the launch of this mission, in which the agency told us that a poem by the writer Ada Limón will travel on the ship, along with a silicon microchip stamped with more than 2.6 million names submitted by the public.
Now, the same POT informs in an official statement that these messages will have an additional feature. They will send a triangular metal plaque on the spacecraft that will honor that connection to Earth in several ways.
It's a gold record with sound wave graphics
Made of metallic tantalum and approximately 7 by 11 inches (18 by 28 centimeters), the plaque features graphic elements on both sides, the board says. NASA in the statement.
The outward-facing panel features art highlighting Earth's connection to Europe. Linguists collected recordings of the word “water” spoken in 103 languages, from language families around the world. The audio files were converted into waveforms (visual representations of sound waves) and recorded on the board. The waveforms radiate from a symbol representing the American Sign Language sign for “water.”
“The content and design of the Europa Clipper vault plaque are full of meaning. The board combines the best that humanity has to offer across the universe: science, technology, education, art and mathematics. “The message of connection through water, essential to all life as we know it, perfectly illustrates Earth's connection to this mysterious ocean world we intend to explore,” said Lori Glaze, director of the Division of Planetary Sciences. at NASA headquarters in Washington.
Europa Clipper leaves in October 2024 and is estimated to arrive at Jupiter's moon in 2030.