NASA's Europa Clipper launch postponed due to hurricane conditions

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A scale model of the Europa Clipper spacecraft displayed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, the U.S., April 11, 2023. /CFP

NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the launch attempt of the agency's Europa Clipper mission due to anticipated hurricane conditions in the area, NASA said on Monday.

The mission was originally planned to launch on October 10 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Hurricane Milton is expected to move from the Gulf of Mexico this week eastward to the Space Coast. High winds and heavy rain are expected in the Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island regions on Florida's east coast.

Launch teams have secured Europa Clipper spacecraft in SpaceX's hangar at Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center ahead of the severe weather, and the center began hurricane preparations Sunday, according to NASA.

NASA will determine the next launch opportunity. Europa Clipper has launch windows until November 6.

The mission's main science goal is to determine whether there are places below the surface of Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, that could support life, according to NASA.

Europa Clipper spacecraft will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Europa and investigate whether the icy moon could have conditions suitable for life. The spacecraft will perform dozens of close flybys of Europa, gathering detailed measurements to investigate the moon, said NASA.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency