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Radar Study Confirms Europa’s Ice, Boosts Clipper Mission

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. scientists used NASA’s Goldstone Radar and the Green Bank Telescope (2011-2024) to study Europa’s ice, finding a mirror-like high radar albedo.
They confirmed the backscatter opposition effect, indicating water ice and supporting subsurface oceans on Europa, Ganymede, Callisto.
Dr. Will Armentrout said the radar method will aid Europa Clipper, launched in October 2024, to start a 50-flyby campaign in 2031 searching for liquid water and building blocks for life.

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Story summary

U.S. scientists used NASA’s Goldstone Radar and the Green Bank Telescope (2011-2024) to study Europa’s ice, finding a mirror-like high radar albedo.
They confirmed the backscatter opposition effect, indicating water ice and supporting subsurface oceans on Europa, Ganymede, Callisto.
Dr. Will Armentrout said the radar method will aid Europa Clipper, launched in October 2024, to start a 50-flyby campaign in 2031 searching for liquid water and building blocks for life.