BBC Inside Science Should we bring back extinct animals?
Nov 7, 2024
Brittany Schmidt, a NASA astrobiologist on the Europa Clipper mission, joins Ben Lam, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, and Tori Herridge, an expert on mammoths. They dive into the fascinating realm of de-extinction, focusing on the potential resurrection of woolly mammoths. The discussion touches on the ethical and ecological implications of bringing back extinct species. Additionally, insights on the Europa Clipper's quest for signs of extraterrestrial life highlight the intersection between space exploration and life beyond Earth.
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Hurricane Delay
- NASA astrobiologist Brittany Schmidt was ready to go at Cape Canaveral in Florida for the Europa Clipper launch.
- Hurricane Milton delayed the launch, so she waited it out in Atlanta.
Clipper's Orbit
- Europa Clipper will orbit Jupiter and use its gravity, along with Ganymede's and Callisto's, to make close passes of Europa.
- This innovative approach allows for detailed study without landing.
Europa's Structure
- Europa, similar in size to Earth's moon, has a 10-30km ice shell and a 100km ocean beneath.
- Tidal energy from Jupiter keeps geological processes active, making it potentially habitable.