NASA's Europa Clipper Mission Delayed by Hurricane Threat

The spacecraft, set to explore Jupiter's moon Europa for signs of life, awaits a new launch date after Hurricane Milton postpones its departure.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission aims to investigate the habitability of Jupiter's moon Europa, which may have an ocean beneath its icy crust.
The launch, originally scheduled for October 10, 2024, has been postponed due to Hurricane Milton, with the launch window open until November 6.
Europa Clipper will perform nearly 50 flybys of Europa, utilizing nine scientific instruments to study the moon's surface and potential subsurface ocean.
The spacecraft, powered by large solar arrays, will travel 1.8 billion miles and is expected to enter Jupiter's orbit in April 2030, with data collection starting in May 2031.
This mission represents a significant step in the search for extraterrestrial life, focusing on the possibility of chemosynthesis in Europa's ocean as a potential life-supporting process.