Europa Clipper Solves Transistor Issue Ready For Launch Next Month

In May, NASA’s Europa Clipper engineers encountered a setback no one wants to face: an issue with some transistors on the spacecraft. The Clipper is bound for Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, but the harsh radiation surrounding Jupiter poses a risk to the spacecraft’s electronics. There was concern that some of these transistors could be damaged, potentially reducing the spacecraft’s lifespan.

The engineers shared their worries with The New York Times, describing the realization with “a howl of terror.” They spent the summer working on solutions, assessing the potential damage, and determining how it might affect the mission. With the launch date fast approaching, time was of the essence.

Now, however, the team is confident that the spacecraft will function as required. They discovered a method to “heal” the transistors by heating them through a process called annealing, which rearranges the atoms to keep them operational. While not a permanent fix, it should allow the spacecraft to carry out its mission, which is expected to last four years.

In a recent press conference, NASA officials confirmed their readiness for the upcoming launch and outlined the extensive tests and preparations completed. Jordan Evans, Europa Clipper project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, detailed the testing process. “We’ve conducted thorough testing at JPL, APU [Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory], and NASA Goddard,” Evans said. “We took Europa Clipper into a vacuum chamber to mimic the cold space environment, ensuring it can withstand both hot and cold conditions. We also performed vibration and acoustic testing to simulate the Falcon Heavy rocket launch, testing the spacecraft’s ability to handle the noise and shaking during the mission.”

The team also tested the spacecraft’s fault detection systems by simulating issues such as disconnected wires, and even recreated Jupiter’s electromagnetic environment to ensure the electronics function properly. Final preparations are ongoing, including optimizing the flight trajectory and performing the last touches on the spaceflight hardware and boosters.

The Europa Clipper is set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the launch window opening on October 10. As the countdown continues, the team is focused on ensuring the spacecraft is ready for its journey to explore Jupiter’s moon.