In a picture-perfect launch, the Europa Clipper Mission took off from Earth today for its 1.8 billion mile journey to the icy moon of Jupiter, Europa.
The launch was at 12:06 p.m. ET on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, with two boosters that had been used previously, and which this time will be discarded. It took off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The NASA website notes: “With its solar arrays deployed, Europa Clipper spans more than 100 feet (about 30 meters). The main body of the spacecraft consists of its avionics vault, radiofrequency module, and propulsion module. At launch, Europa Clipper will weigh approximately 13,000 pounds (6,000 kilograms). Almost half of the weight will be fuel—nearly 6,000 pounds (2,750 kilograms) of propellant.
“The spacecraft will fly by Mars, then back by Earth, using the gravity of each planet to increase its momentum. These so-called ‘gravity assists’ will provide Europa Clipper with the velocity needed to reach Jupiter in 2030.
“After it begins orbiting Jupiter, Europa Clipper will spend about a year altering its trajectory to prepare for its first Europa flyby. The spacecraft will then spend about three years soaring past Europa dozens of times and sending data back to Earth. Over the course of the mission, the spacecraft will investigate nearly the entire moon.”
You can watch the launchwatch the launch, as well as commentary from some of the engineers involved. The countdown at T minus 50 seconds is at approximately 1:05:51. You’ll hear reference to the “NLM” (NASA Launch Manager), “LOX load” (filling the tanks with liquid oxygen), as well as confirmation of a “go for launch” from the SpaceEx team.
