Could radioactive elements on Europa support life?

Yes, scientists propose that radioactive elements seeping from Europa's rocks could provide enough energy through decay to support microbial life in its subsurface ocean.

How does the Europa Clipper mission fit into this research?

The Europa Clipper mission, arriving in 2030, may gather data to test the new theory that radioactive decay fuels potential life on Europa.

What is chemosynthesis and how does it relate to Europa?

Chemosynthesis is life relying on chemical reactions for energy, similar to organisms in Earth's deep-sea vents. Scientists theorize this process could occur on Europa using energy from radioactive decay.

Home / Science / Europa's Ocean: Radioactive Rocks Could Fuel Alien Life

Europa's Ocean: Radioactive Rocks Could Fuel Alien Life

30 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Radioactive elements seeping from rocks may power alien life in Europa's ocean.
New research models uranium and potassium decay generating energy ions.
Europa Clipper mission may test this new habitability theory in 2030.

Europa's Ocean: Radioactive Rocks Could Fuel Alien Life

New research suggests that radioactive elements seeping from Europa's rocks may be the key energy source for potential life in the moon's vast ocean. Scientists have developed a model indicating that the natural decay of isotopes like Uranium-235, uranium-238, and potassium could generate sufficient energy ions. This process, akin to chemosynthesis on Earth, could theoretically sustain an estimated 1 septillion cells. This new theory arises as previous assumptions about internal heat powering life are challenged by evidence of a thicker icy crust on Europa. NASA's Europa Clipper mission, scheduled to reach Jupiter's system in 2030, may provide crucial data to test this groundbreaking hypothesis about Europa's habitability.

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