SpaceX and NASA have postponed the scheduled launch of the Europa Clipper mission that was set for Thursday due to the approach of Hurricane Milton, which is moving east toward Florida, where the Kennedy Space Center is located.
“Once the storm has passed, recovery teams will inspect the safety of the spaceport and the launch processing facilities for any damages before staff can return,” NASA announced in a social media update on Sunday. In another message, they stated, “Teams have secured the spacecraft within SpaceX’s hangar at NASA Kennedy.”
Teams have secured the spacecraft in SpaceX’s hangar at @NASAKennedy. The next launch opportunity will be determined once the storm passes. More: https://t.co/2iZPSR5lpI https://t.co/7FQhkQspKG
— NASA Europa Clipper (@EuropaClipper) October 6, 2024
The spaceflight company has a launch window available with daily opportunities until October 30. The hope is that the rocket will be able to launch next weekend or early next week rather than later in the month.
On its way to Jupiter, the Europa Clipper mission aims to explore the icy moon Europa, with an arrival expected in 2030. Scientists are eager to gather data that could help identify whether the moon’s subsurface ocean might support life.
A Falcon Heavy rocket, powered by three Falcon 9 boosters and equipped with a total of 27 Merlin engines, will launch the mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This impressive rocket generates over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff—approximately equivalent to the power of 18 Boeing 747 aircraft. Falcon Heavy ranks as one of the most powerful operational rockets in existence, capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) into orbit.
In addition, SpaceX is working on an even more powerful rocket called Starship, which has an astonishing thrust capacity of 17 million pounds at launch. The company is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the fifth test flight of Starship, with a potential launch date in late November.