NASA's Europa Clipper Successfully Tests Radar Instrument During Mars Flyby

NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft has successfully tested its radar instrument, REASON (Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface), during a flyby of Mars. This test, conducted in March 2025, was crucial for calibrating the radar system before its primary mission to study Jupiter's moon Europa. The radar performed as expected, sending and receiving signals that bounced off Mars' equatorial region, confirming its readiness for future operations. The data collected will aid scientists in understanding Europa's icy shell and potential subsurface ocean, enhancing the mission's goal of assessing the moon's habitability. The spacecraft is on a journey to reach Europa in 2030, where it will conduct detailed studies to explore the moon's potential to support life.