![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/europa-clipper.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>NASA and SpaceX are targeting a launch period opening Thursday, Oct. 10, for the agency\u2019s Europa Clipper mission, which will help scientists determine if one of Jupiter\u2019s icy moons could support life. The mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/p>\n
Europa Clipper will carry nine instruments and a gravity science experiment aboard to gather detailed measurements as it orbits Jupiter and conducts multiple close flybys of its moon, Europa. Research suggests an ocean twice the volume of all of Earth\u2019s oceans exists under Europa\u2019s icy crust.<\/p>\n
Media interested in covering the Europa Clipper launch must apply for\u00a0media accreditation<\/a>. Deadlines for accreditation are as follows:<\/p>\n Media requiring special logistical arrangements, such as space for satellite trucks, tents, or electrical connections, should email ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov<\/a> by Tuesday, Oct. 1.<\/p>\n A copy of NASA\u2019s media accreditation policy<\/a> is available online. For questions about accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov<\/a>. For other mission questions, please contact NASA Kennedy\u2019s newsroom at 321-867-2468.<\/p>\n Para obtener informaci\u00f3n sobre cobertura en espa\u00f1ol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espa\u00f1ol, comun\u00edquese con Antonia Jaramillo: 321-501-8425, o Messod Bendayan: 256-930-1371.<\/em><\/p>\n Accredited media will have the opportunity to participate in a series of prelaunch briefings and interviews with key mission personnel, including a briefing<\/a> the week of Sept. 9. NASA will communicate additional details regarding the media event schedule as the launch date approaches.<\/p>\n NASA also will post updates on spacecraft launch preparations on NASA\u2019s Europa Clipper<\/a> blog.<\/p>\n Clipper\u2019s primary science goal is to determine whether there are places below the surface of Europa that could support life. The mission\u2019s three main science objectives are to understand the nature of the ice shell and the ocean beneath it, along with the moon\u2019s composition and geology. The mission\u2019s detailed exploration of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.<\/p>\n Managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California leads the development of the Europa Clipper mission in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, for NASA Headquarters in Washington. The main spacecraft body was designed by APL in collaboration with JPL and NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Planetary Missions Program Office at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, executes program management of the Europa Clipper mission.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Launch Services Program, based at Kennedy, manages the launch service for the Europa Clipper spacecraft.<\/p>\n For further details about the mission and updates on launch preparations, visit:<\/p>\n https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/europa-clipper<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Leejay Lockhart Karen Fox \/ Alana Johnson Julian Coltre\n
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-747-8310
leejay.lockhart@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
NASA Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600 \/ 202-358-1501
karen.c.fox@nasa.gov<\/a> \/\u00a0alana.r.johnson@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
NASA Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
Julian.n.coltre@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n