Europa Clipper’s Developmental Test Model

Two engineers guide Europa Clipper's developmental test model (DTM) as a crane lowers it onto a custom-made stand in a static test tower at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Hydraulic cylinders like those on bulldozers and heavy construction equipment push and pull on the DTM with 20% more force than the maximum the spacecraft will experience during the mission. By testing an identical copy of the flight hardware, engineers can ensure Europa Clipper's structural integrity without risking damage or fatigue to the spacecraft flight model.