NASA and SpaceX are delaying the Europa Clipper launch scheduled for October 10 due to the threat of Hurricane Milton

NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of the Europa Clipper mission due to the looming threat of Hurricane Milton. Originally scheduled for October 10, the launch from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida has now been postponed due to a safety precaution. Tim Dunn, NASA’s senior director for launches, confirmed that protecting the spacecraft and ensuring the safety of the launch crew is the highest priority. The spacecraft is secured inside SpaceX’s hangar at KSC as the region prepares for the impending hurricane.

Hurricane Milton threatens Florida’s Space Coast

Hurricane Milton is forecast to bring severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, to Florida’s east coast, where KSC is located. Both NASA and SpaceX decided to halt the launch in response to the forecast storm. According to an official NASA statement, the decision was made in anticipation of hazardous conditions expected to affect Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island in the coming days.

The team will reassess the situation once Hurricane Milton has passed and the facilities assessment is complete. The launch window for the Europa Clipper mission remains open until November 6, giving plenty of time to resume the mission once conditions improve. Dunn assured that the mission would continue as soon as it was safe to do so.

Exploring the potential of Europe for life

The Europa Clipper mission is a $5 billion project to study Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The moon is believed to contain a vast ocean beneath its icy surface, and NASA wants to determine whether life could exist on it. Using nine advanced science instruments, the spacecraft will make dozens of flybys of Europa after it reaches Jupiter’s orbit in 2030. The mission is seen as a key step in understanding Europa’s potential to harbor life and could help identify landing sites for future research.