Europa Clipper’s Vault Plate Installed

The vault plate was installed on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on May 3, 2024. The inward-facing side of Europa Clipper’s vault plate features a handwritten poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, the Drake Equation handwritten by astrophysicist Frank Drake, a drawing of the Jovian system, a tribute to planetary scientist Ron Greeley, and the radio emission lines known as the “Water Hole.” Atop the drawing of the Jovian system is a fingernail-sized silicon chip etched with the names of those who participated in NASA’s “Message in a Bottle” campaign.

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Europa Clipper's vault plate is wrapped in a protective pouch just before being installed on the spacecraft on May 3,...
The triangular-shaped, silver-colored Europa Clipper Europa Clipper vault plate is covered in a protective plastic bag with a clear front and silver back. There is a bit of gold tape in the upper left corner, and a white label on the bag.
A worker holds the vault plate over a black container just prior to installation on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on...
A technician in white protective clothing holds the triangular-shaped, silver-colored vault plate over a black box sitting on a work table with lots of tools around it. Another worker in protective clothing holds a video camera to record the moment.
A worker turns screws to attach the vault plate to NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on May 3, 2024.
A worker dressed in white protective clothing uses an orange-handled screwdriver to turn a screw attaching the triangular-shaped silver-colored vault plate to Europa Clipper. Wires and other parts of the spacecraft are visible. Another worker dressed in white and blue head cover looks on.
Workers move the vault plate into position for installation on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on May 3, 2024.
Two workers in white protective clothing hold the triangular-shaped, silver-colored vault plate near the Europa Clipper spacecraft.
Workers move the vault plate into position for installation on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on May 3, 2024.
Two technicians in white protective clothing hold the Europa Clipper Vault Plate as they position it for installation on the spacecraft.
The vault plate is shown held in place by several screws after its installation on NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft on...
The triangular-shaped, silver-colored vault plate can be seen attached to the Europa Clipper spacecraft. Two metal bars cross in front of the plate. Several screws can be seen holding the plate to the spacecraft. Orange colored wires run alongside the other equipment on the spacecraft.