SpaceX successfully launched NASA’s Europa Clipper mission on Monday, aiming to explore the potential for life on Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa.
The $5 billion spacecraft lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:06 PM EDT (9:36 PM IST). NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the launch on X, stating, “Liftoff, @EuropaClipper! Today, we embark on a new journey across the solar system in search of the ingredients for life.”
This mission marks the first detailed scientific investigation of Europa. Scientists believe the moon has a salty ocean beneath its icy crust, which may contain the necessary ingredients to support life. “The mission will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the potential for finding life beyond our planet,” NASA explained.
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Despite an initial report of a venting issue with the probe’s propulsion system, flight controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirmed that the system was performing as expected.
Approximately six hours after launch, the spacecraft is set to deploy its solar arrays, which measure over 30 meters and weigh nearly 6,000 kg.
Jupiter is roughly 480 million miles from Earth. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles over the next five years, aiming to reach the Jovian system by April 2030. To aid in its journey, the Europa Clipper will utilize “gravity assists” from both Earth and Mars.
The mission’s objectives include understanding the nature of Europa’s ice shell, the ocean beneath it, and the moon’s composition and geology. The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and conduct around 50 flybys of Europa.
The findings from this mission are expected to enhance our understanding of astrobiological potential on other worlds.
Additionally, this launch was the 11th overall for the Falcon Heavy and marked its second interplanetary mission. Notably, it was the first Falcon Heavy launch to fully expend the three first-stage boosters.
