NASA Clears Europa Clipper for October Launch Despite Radiation Concerns

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has officially approved the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft next month, targeting Jupiter’s moon Europa in a highly anticipated mission to investigate the potential for life beneath its icy surface. After an extensive review of the spacecraft’s ability to endure the harsh radiation environment surrounding Jupiter, the green light was given for the October 10 liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Earlier this year, concerns arose regarding the durability of the transistors on the $5 billion spacecraft, following similar issues in other missions. With a tight launch window in sight, NASA rapidly conducted critical tests to ensure the spacecraft’s electronics would withstand Europa’s extreme radiation during its mission. Over the last four months, teams from laboratories across the country worked around the clock to complete these tests.

The launch must occur within a three-week window, or NASA will have to wait over a year for the next planetary alignment needed for the spacecraft’s gravity assists past Mars and Earth. The project manager, Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, confirmed that while the transistors may degrade after each of Europa Clipper's 49 planned flybys of Europa, they are expected to recover during the three-week intervals between encounters.

Evans expressed confidence in the mission’s success, saying, “We are ready for Jupiter,” noting that despite the challenges, the spacecraft is well-equipped to complete its exploration of Europa as intended.

Once launched, Europa Clipper will embark on a six-year journey to Jupiter. It will orbit the gas giant every three weeks, conducting close flybys of Europa to gather data. Equipped with cameras, ice-penetrating radar, and other instruments, the spacecraft aims to map the moon’s surface and analyze whether the suspected ocean beneath Europa’s frozen shell could support life.

Spanning over 100 feet with its solar panels extended, Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft NASA has ever built for planetary exploration. Its mission promises to reveal new insights into one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system.