Why is Europa considered a prime target for astrobiologists concerning Galileo's disposal?

Answer

Evidence strongly suggests the presence of a massive, salty, liquid water ocean beneath its frozen crust.

Europa holds immense interest for astrobiology because substantial evidence points toward the existence of a large body of liquid water, specifically a salty ocean, situated underneath its thick icy shell. The presence of liquid water is a fundamental requirement for life as currently understood. Because of this potential habitability, preventing contamination from Earth-based microbes carried aboard the Galileo spacecraft became the paramount ethical consideration guiding its end-of-life procedure. Any chance of compromising this pristine environment for future study, where life might potentially exist, was unacceptable to mission planners.

Why is Europa considered a prime target for astrobiologists concerning Galileo's disposal?

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