The European Space Agency (ESA) is moving ahead with a major mission to Saturn’s moon Enceladus, known for its icy surface and hidden ocean. This mission, set for launch in the 2040s, will carry an orbiter and a lander. Both will examine Enceladus in detail, focusing on powerful plumes that release water vapour and ice into space. Scientists believe these plumes come from a vast ocean beneath the moon’s frozen crust. ESA wants to study the plumes to find signs of life beyond Earth. Dr Jörn Helbert from ESA said Enceladus is “the one place where we can actually touch the water from the ocean” because its geysers eject ocean material into space. The mission’s orbiter will map the surface, analyse plume chemistry, and watch how Enceladus interacts with Saturn’s magnetic field. The lander will touch down near the Tiger Stripes region, where geysers erupt from deep cracks. It aims to collect fresh ice particles from the ocean exposed by these fissures. This is the first time ocean water from another world can be studied directly without drilling through ice. The lander will use instruments to detect organic molecules and potential signs of life. ESA plans to power the spacecraft with solar energy. The lander is expected to work for about a month after landing in 2052, timed for when the moon receives more sunlight. The mission should get official approval by 2034. Enceladus is a top choice for finding life in our Solar System because it has a liquid ocean warmed by geothermal heat. NASA’s past Cassini mission found that the plumes contain complex organic molecules. ESA’s mission will study the ocean chemistry, temperature, and minerals closely. Scientists hope to detect amino acids, lipids, or microbes if they exist in the plumes. Dr Helbert called the mission “an unparalleled opportunity to understand how habitability emerges in icy ocean worlds.” This ambitious mission will push the boundaries of space exploration and the search for life beyond Earth.