NASA and SpaceX postpone the launch of the Europa Clipper mission

NASA and SpaceX decided to postpone the launch of the mission indefinitely. Europe Clipperwhich was scheduled for next Thursday, October 10, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This measure is due to the speedy arrival Hurricane Miltontropical cyclone that formed in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend and is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida mid next week.

NASA’s director predicts winds and rain in the Cape Canaveral area. Tim Dunn

said an assessment of facilities and restoration of operations would take place after the storm passes. “After the hurricane and once we get the go-ahead, we will determine the next launch opportunity for this flagship NASA mission,” Dunn said.

The Europa Clipper spacecraft, designed to launch Europa, one of the icy moons of Jupiter, Last Friday, it was transported to the Launch Pad 39A hangar as part of final preparations for its long-awaited journey. NASA has assured that the ship is safe Kennedy Centerwhich has already begun implementing measures to address expected adverse weather conditions. Milton is expected to hit Florida as a major hurricane, classified as a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

The Europa Clipper mission, the largest planetary exploration mission NASA has ever built, aims to find out whether Europa can support life. The ship will pass approximately 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) and will then reach Jupiter in 2030, where it will observe the Moon, which is believed to have a subsurface ocean of water, as well as energy sources and chemical components that may be favorable to life.

The space agency indicated it has until November 6. possible release dates, as he prepares to resume plans for this ambitious mission that will last four years.