NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter: Live updates
by Tariq Malik · Space.comRefresh
2024-10-14T03:32:07.823Z
Europa Clipper "GO" for launch
NASA and SpaceX are both "GO" to launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft toward Jupiter's moon Europa on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 after days of delays caused by the impacts of Hurricane Milton on its Florida launch site.
Europa Clipper, a $5 billion flagship mission to an icy moon of Jupiter, is currently scheduled to lift off at 12:06 p.m. EDT (1606 GMT) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a tiny 15-second launch window. There is a 95% chance of good weather at launch time, Space Force officials said. Read our full guide on when and how to watch Europa Clipper launch.
NASA originally hoped to launch Europa Clipper on Oct. 10, but decided along with SpaceX - which will launch the probe on a Falcon Heavy rocket - to push back the launch last week as Hurricane Milton approached. On Saturday (Oct. 12), the space center reopened for business and the Falcon Heavy carrying the probe returned to the launch pad by Sunday.
Europa Clipper is designed to reach the Jupiter system in April 2030 and spend four years making close flybys of Europa, one of the most promising places in our solar system for the search for life beyond Earth. Europe's dominant feature is its vast salty ocean contained under a thick ice crust, which sometimes escapes through vast water plumes.
NASA scientists will use Europa Clipper's instruments to better understand how habitable Europa may be.
In this space, we'll include the latest launch and mission updates on Europa Clipper during its long voyage to Jupiter. Check back on Oct. 14 for live launch coverage!
More about missions
James Webb Space Telescope spies 'inside-out' star formation in ancient galaxy (image)
On this day in space! Oct. 13, 1773: Charles Messier discovers the 'Whirlpool Galaxy'
Latest
What time will SpaceX launch NASA's Europa Clipper to icy Jupiter moon on Oct. 14 (and how to watch online)?
See more latest ►
Most Popular
SpaceX Starship launches: Mission updates
James Webb Space Telescope spies 'inside-out' star formation in ancient galaxy (image)
The key ingredients for life on Earth came from space, new evidence suggests
Hints of volcanic moon around alien planet may be 1st-of-its-kind discovery (video)
Nearby exoplanet is a 1st-of-its-kind 'steam world,’ James Webb Space Telescope finds
Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane to attempt new 'aerobraking' maneuvers in orbit
Nabta Playa: A mysterious stone circle that may be the world's oldest astronomical observatory
On this day in space! Oct. 13, 1773: Charles Messier discovers the 'Whirlpool Galaxy'
Space pictures! See our space image of the day