Science & Exploration
Enceladus mission concept
A committee of planetary scientists identified Saturn’s moon Enceladus as the most compelling target for ESA's next 'large-class' space science mission, to follow in the footsteps of Juice, LISA and NewAthena (ESA's newest large-class missions).
No space agency has ever landed on little Enceladus. And yet it has enormous potential for new science, particularly in the realm of habitability. The plumes that spew through its icy crust are rich in organic compounds, some of which are key for life. The ocean also seems to hold a powerful source of chemical energy that could fuel living organisms.
The impact of such a mission could be enormous. It would offer Europe – once more – a unique front seat in Solar System science.
