Update
Stage separation for Falcon Heavy
The twin-sided boosters on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy separated from the core stage, and the first stage arrived shortly after.
SpaceX did not reuse the boosters for this flight. Two side boosters were previously used to launch NASA’s Psyche asteroid mission.
Payload fairies such as the Falcon Heavy’s clamshell are also split as planned. SpaceX will try to recover those fairings after launch.
Europa Clipper is now in space for the first time.
Liftoff of the Europa Clipper
Liftoff! NASA’s Europa Clipper Launches to Jupiter on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket!
SpaceX eyes temperature on Falcon Heavy
SpaceX’s Strongback support device for today’s Falcon Heavy launch was pushed back to launch at 12:06 pm ET (1606 GMT), just minutes before liftoff.
SpaceX is monitoring the temperature of Falcon Heavy’s 2nd stage. NASA and SpaceX move to launch, pending resolution of temperature concerns.
Europa Clipper on internal power
SpaceX and NASA are less than 10 minutes away from launching Europa Clipper on a Falcon Heavy rocket at 12:06 pm EDT (1606 GMT).
The Europa Clipper is now under internal power for launch, SpaceX reports.
SpaceX uses all the fuel in today’s Falcon Heavy for launch. The first stage boosters cannot be attempted to land because their maximum performance will be required to send Europa Clipper on its path to Jupiter.
Poem to fly to Jupiter on Europa Clipper
NASA’s Europa Clipper isn’t just carrying science experiments and instruments to Jupiter with today’s launch.
And the names of the millions of people aboard the ship are to be added to the chip for the flight, as well as “A Bomb for Europa” by American poet Ada Limon. He says poetry belongs to everyone.
“You know, as we embark on this incredible journey together, I’m sure we’ll be reminded of the wonders that surround us,” Limon said.
SpaceX is loading liquid oxygen into the Falcon Heavy
SpaceX is now loading liquid oxygen into the upper stage for Falcon Heavy’s Europa Clipper launch. The refueling process continues until the final minutes before starting. The launch will continue at 12:06 pm ET.
Falcon Heavy 2nd stage refueling begins
SpaceX has begun fueling the upper stage of its Falcon Heavy rocket with RP-1 propellant for today’s Europa Clipper launch.
All systems are “go” for today’s scheduled 12:06 pm EDT (1606 GMT) release.
SpaceX will fuel Falcon Heavy for Europa Clipper launch
SpaceX has begun fueling its Falcon Heavy rocket’s first core stage and side boosters with RB-1 propellant (rocket-grade kerosene) and liquid oxygen for today’s launch.
NASA says that if SpaceX delays today’s launch for any reason while the liquid oxygen is being loaded, the next opportunity will be 48 hours later on Wednesday, when more liquid oxygen will need to be collected. NASA and SpaceX have until November 6 to send Europa Clipper to Jupiter.
SpaceX ‘GO’ Fuels Europa Clipper Launch
NASA Launch Director Tim Dunn has voted on the NASA and SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch teams for today’s Europa Clipper launch to ensure the rocket is ready to fuel. All systems seem to be gone.
“We’ve got beautiful weather, a beautiful spacecraft and a great rocket,” Dunn said as he began the poll, checking in with flight controllers, who all said “go” for launch. “NASA Europa Clipper Crew Moves in for Propellant Load and Launch.”
Today’s Europa Clipper launch is at 12:06 pm EDT (1606 GMT). NASA says there is a 95% chance of good weather at launch time.
NASA Europa Clipper Live Stream
NASA’s Europa Clipper launch live broadcast continues as SpaceX and NASA near the T-1 hour mark for today’s scheduled 12:06 pm EDT (1606 GMT) launch.
You can watch the launch in the window above and live on Space.com, but also live from NASA and its YouTube page.
“We think Europa has been churning for the last 4 billion years, so it’s a great place to see if it’s habitable,” Jenny Kampmeier, NASA’s Europa Clipper science system engineer, said as the webcast began.
Launch date of Europa Clipper
NASA’s Europa Clipper launch day!
The $5 billion probe is slated to launch toward Jupiter today. October 14, 12:06 pm EDT (1606 GMT) From NASA’s Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, with its three-booster first stage, offers a ride.
The Europa Clipper launch can be viewed live online 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT)But if you can’t wait that long to get your Europa fix, we’ve got you covered.
From “2010: The Year Make Contact” to ‘Europa Report,’ don’t miss writer Jeff Spry’s list of 4 must-see Jupiter movies in preparation for the Europa Clipper. You may disagree with some of the choices. I promise you they’re all fun movie rides (especially “Europa Report ,” one is awesome!).
Europa Clipper “GO” to launch
Both NASA and SpaceX are “GO” to launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft toward Jupiter’s moon Europa on Monday, October 14, 2024, after several days of delays caused by Hurricane Milton at its Florida launch pad.
Europa Clipper, the $5 billion mission to Jupiter’s icy moon, is scheduled to lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:06 p.m. EDT (1606 GMT) during a 15-second launch window. Space Force officials said there is a 95% chance of good weather during the launch. Read our full guide on when and how to see the Europa Clipper launch.
NASA originally expected to launch the Europa Clipper on Oct. 10, but decided in partnership with SpaceX — which will carry the probe aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket — to push back the launch last week as Hurricane Milton approached. On Saturday (Oct. 12), the space center reopened for business and returned to the Falcon Heavy launch pad carrying the probe by Sunday.
Europa Clipper is designed to reach the Jupiter system in April 2030 and spend four years flying close to Europa, one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for life beyond Earth. Europe’s dominant feature is its vast salt sea under a thick ice cover, which sometimes erupts through vast waterspouts.
NASA scientists will use Europa Clipper’s instruments to better understand how habitable Europa might be.
In this space, we’ll include the latest launch and mission updates on the Europa Clipper during its long journey to Jupiter. Check back on October 14th for live launch coverage!
