Could there be life in the ocean beneath Europa's ice?

The answer

Europa, one of Jupiter's largest moons, harbors a global saltwater ocean beneath an ice shell estimated at 15 to 25 kilometers thick. This ocean is kept liquid by tidal heating from Jupiter's immense gravity, which flexes and warms Europa's interior. The ocean may be 60 to 150 kilometers deep, containing two to three times the volume of Earth's oceans. Hydrothermal vents on Europa's ocean floor could provide the energy and chemistry needed for life. NASA's Europa Clipper mission, launched in 2024, will conduct detailed flybys to assess this moon's habitability.