NASA and SpaceX have decided to postpone the launch of the agency's highly anticipated Europa Clipper mission due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Milton. Originally scheduled for October 10 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the launch has been rescheduled to ensure the safety of the spacecraft and crew.
Hurricane Milton is projected to move eastward from the Gulf of Mexico towards the Space Coast this week, bringing high winds and heavy rain to regions including Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island. In response, launch teams have taken proactive measures by securing the Europa Clipper spacecraft in SpaceX's hangar at Launch Complex 39A.
The Kennedy Space Center initiated comprehensive hurricane preparations on Sunday, ahead of the severe weather's approach. NASA remains committed to determining the next viable launch window, with opportunities available until November 6.
The Europa Clipper mission aims to explore Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, to assess whether it harbors conditions that could support life beneath its frozen surface. The spacecraft is set to conduct detailed reconnaissance, performing dozens of close flybys to gather critical data on Europa's potential habitability.
Reference(s):
NASA's Europa Clipper launch postponed due to hurricane conditions
cgtn.com
