MASPEX (IMAGE) Southwest Research Institute Caption Southwest Research Institute recently delivered the MAss Spectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX) instrument for integration into NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft. MASPEX has a mass resolution hundreds of times finer than anything that’s flown to space before to study the atmospheric gases and surface materials of Europa. This icy Jovian moon harbors a suspected subsurface ocean with the potential to support microbial life. The advanced capabilities of MASPEX can provide chemical clues on conditions and processes that occur within the depths of Europa. Credit Southwest Research Institute Usage Restrictions Images/Videos may be used by the public for educational and informational purposes only. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.