‘$5 billion vehicle’: NASA forced to hide Jupiter-bound probe in hangar as Hurricane Milton threatens launchpad
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA Safeguards Europa
NASA took precautionary measures to protect the $5 billion Europa Clipper spacecraft from Hurricane Milton, which swept through Florida on October 9-10.
Launch Delay Due to Storm
The Europa Clipper’s launch, initially scheduled for October 10, has been delayed indefinitely due to the hurricane. NASA confirmed that the launch window remains open until November 6.
Precautions Prioritized for Safety
Tim Dunn, NASA’s senior launch director for the Europa Clipper mission, emphasized the safety of the launch team as the top priority, ensuring all necessary precautions were taken to protect the spacecraft during the storm.
Hurricane Milton’s Impact
Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm on Florida’s western coast, leaving thousands of businesses, including KSC, with limited or no access to power. KSC has provided no updates on operations since Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Warnings at KSC
NASA officials had warned that tropical storm force winds would impact KSC by Wednesday evening, with potential tornadoes preceding the storm. The spaceport braced for the storm’s arrival with protective measures in place.
Europa Clipper’s Mission
The Europa Clipper spacecraft will study the habitability of Jupiter’s moon Europa, which has a subsurface ocean beneath its icy surface. Despite the delay, the mission remains critical to exploring potential life-supporting environments beyond Earth.
Effects on Other NASA Operations
Hurricane Milton also affected other NASA operations. The Crew-8 mission, which was set to return from the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed. NASA expects to update the timing of the astronauts’ departure on Friday, October 11.
Visitor Center Closures
In response to the storm, the KSC visitor center has been closed until at least October 10. NASA continues to monitor the situation and ensure safety measures are in place across its facilities.