How future spacecraft might handle tricky landings on Venus or Europa

Fan-powered descents and nimble landing legs are just two ideas for touching down safely

illustration of spacecraft on Europa

If a spacecraft (like the one shown in this artist’s concept) ever touches down on Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, the craft will need to be especially agile in order to stick its landing.

JPL-Caltech/NASA

The best way to know a world is to touch it.