NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft successfully completed a flyby of Mars on March 1, passing just 550 miles above the planet to use its gravity for a trajectory boost toward Jupiter’s moon Europa.

This maneuver, part of its 1.8-billion-mile journey, allows the spacecraft to adjust its course with a gravitational assist, saving fuel.

Launched in October 2024, Europa Clipper is NASA’s first mission dedicated to exploring Europa, where scientists believe an underground ocean may exist, the Daily Galaxy has reported.

The flyby also provided an opportunity to test key instruments, including a thermal imager and radar, crucial for studying Europa’s icy surface.

Written by B.C. Begley