SpaceX
NASA and SpaceX postpone Europa Clipper launch due to Hurricane Milton
The cyclone, which formed over the weekend in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to hit the state of Florida in the middle of next week, bringing rain and strong winds to the West Coast and Cape Canaveral.
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According to Tim Dunn, NASA launch services program manager, the next launch opportunity will be determined after the hurricane passes, followed by an assessment of facilities and recovery actions.
Last Friday, the Europa Clipper spacecraft was transferred to the 39A launch pad hangar at the Kennedy Space Center as part of the final preparations for the trip to Jupiter's moon Europa. NASA has assured the spacecraft is safe as the center prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
The mission of the Europa Clipper, the largest spacecraft built by NASA for planetary exploration, is to orbit the moon Europa and investigate whether it can harbor life. The spacecraft will travel 2.9 billion kilometers to reach Jupiter in 2030.
NASA is evaluating other launch dates until November 6 for the mission, which will last four years.