9 Years In The Making: On Site At The NASA & SpaceX Europa Clipper Launch (2024)

Unlocking the secrets of Jupiter's mysterious ocean moon

After nine years of design, planning, and preparation, NASA's Europa Clipper finally set sail on October 14, 2024, at 12:06 EST to begin its long journey to study Jupiter's icy moon, Europa.

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Launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles and enter Jupiter's orbit in April 2030. Once in Jupiter's orbit, the Clipper will make 49 flybys of its icy moon. With each pass, the Europa Clipper will collect and analyze scientific images and data of the Jovian moon's surface and subsurface oceans to determine if it could support life as we know it.

Having followed the Europa Clipper program for years and having never attended a launch in person, I jumped at the opportunity to attend and cover this launch for Simple Flying.

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NASA pre-launch teleconference

On the eve of the launch, I had the pleasure of joining an official NASA pre-launch press teleconference with the following guest speakers:

  • Jim Free: NASA Associate Administrator
  • Sandra Connelly: Deputy Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
  • Jordan Evans: Europa Clipper Project Manager, NASA JPL
  • Tim Dunn: Launch Director, NASA's Launch Services Program
  • Julianna Scheiman: Director, NASA Science Missions, SpaceX
  • Mike McAleenan: Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force

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Mr. Free opened the teleconference by thoughtfully acknowledging those recently impacted by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, which devastated the local region over the last few weeks, prompting NASA to scrub the original October 10 launch date.

Listening to Mr. Free's impassioned words reminded me of how resilient and resolute we are as humans. Just days after massive hurricanes and tornados ripped through the region, we forge ahead, undeterred from launching a $5 billion spacecraft toward a destination nearly 2 billion miles away, into the harshest radiation environment outside the sun, using gravity assists from Earth and Mars to do it. Take that, Mother Nature!

For the next 45 minutes, Mr. Free and the other speakers were happy to share details about the mission, SpaceX's involvement, and the Europa Clipper, followed by a Q&A with those in attendance.

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I had a question about the Clipper's surface dust analyzer lined up in the queue, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to answer every question. Nonetheless, the teleconference was very informative, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rare opportunity to hear directly from NASA officials. For those interested, the entire NASA Europa Clipper press teleconference can be heard here:

Following the teleconference, I headed up to the hotel's rooftop bar for dinner and a cocktail or two while watching the sun set over waters that would soon reflect the glow of 27 Merlin engines propelling the Europa Clipper out of Earth's atmosphere. It was a perfect way to end the night and reflect on how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.

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Launch day has finally arrived

I arrived at the NASA News Center press site at KSC launch complex 39A just before 6:00 a.m. under starry morning skies. Only myself, a few NASA personnel, and a handful of international photographers were present. The photographers had arrived early to get their equipment set up.

I arrived early out of sheer excitement; I didn't want to miss a thing. When I entered, I had the whole place all to myself. I took the opportunity to wander around a bit and snap a few photos, including one of a display depicting Europa's icy shell and subsurface ocean below. Scientists believe Europa's ocean may possess the necessary ingredients for life.

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By 8:30 a.m., members of the press from around the world were filing into the press site, and soon, the place was brimming with chatter and anxious anticipation. Smiles and greetings were exchanged with a genuine and infectious enthusiasm reserved for truly special occasions.

As the countdown to launch grew nearer, the excitement in the room grew increasingly palpable. It was a unique excitement heightened by undeniable anxiety. After all, it wouldn't be the first time a launch was scrubbed at the last minute. Given the stormy weather around here lately, anything is possible.

I stepped outside to stretch my legs and snap a few more photos (below) when I noticed something was missing- clouds. Much to everyone's delight, the sun is shining, and there's not a cloud in the sky. It's a beautiful day for a launch.

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If you happen to be in town for a launch at Kennedy Space Center, be sure to check out the nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. (KSCVC). From NASA historical artifacts with life-size models to skull-rattling space shuttle simulations and gorgeous IMAX theater presentations, the KSCVC is an immersive treat for the mind and senses. For a comprehensive review of the KSCVC, check out this article from "The Travel," highlighting the numerous awe-inspiring attractions sure to thrill space enthusiasts of all ages.

The Europa Clipper is going to launch

At 11:00 a.m., the monitors above the countdown clocks in the press room illuminated as NASA began its pre-launch broadcast. The press room was now much quieter and the atmosphere more serious.

At T-minus 00:56:20, the room quieted to a whisper as Launch Director Tim Dunn polled the NASA and SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch teams to confirm the rocket was ready for fueling. Upon confirmation, Mr. Dunn announced, "The NASA Europa Clipper team is go for propellant load and go for launch," eliciting a goosebump-inducing round of applause, a smattering of "woo-hoo's," and a deep sigh of relief from everyone in the room-most notably NASA personnel.

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Over the next half hour, Mr. Dunn and his teams initiate and confirm the completion of the final steps before launch:

  • Launch auto-sequence initiated
  • Falcon Heavy first-stage core and side boosters fueled with RP-1 propellant and Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
  • Falcon Heavy Stage 2 fueled with RP-1
  • RP1 load complete
  • The Falcon Heavy is prepared for launch

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At about T-minus 00:20:00, everyone in the press room began to file outside to the launch viewing area, a large grassy field abutting the Launch Complex 39 turn basin that provides nautical access for KSC space launch operations.

News media and photographers have set up tables, tents, tripods, and sophisticated camera equipment throughout the field. There's plenty of room for everyone to enjoy an optimal view. I navigated to a spot by the roped-off water's edge, as close as I could get.

9 Years In The Making: On Site At The NASA & SpaceX Europa Clipper Launch (3)

Photo: Google Maps

Across the basin, off in the distance about three miles away, stands the mighty SpaceX Falcon Heavy and its precious payload, the Europa Clipper, ready for launch.

Every few minutes, someone from the crowd checks the iconic countdown clock in the field and shouts, "3 minutes...1 minute...30 seconds...10 seconds..." With each announcement, the excitement grew exponentially. As we breathlessly awaited lift off, the tallest among us saw smoke from the rocket's exhaust and uttered, "Here we go..."

9 Years In The Making: On Site At The NASA & SpaceX Europa Clipper Launch (4)

Photo: NASA

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A stunning spectacle of power

What I witnessed was a breathtaking spectacle, one that words struggle to capture. Upon liftoff, vast plumes of smoke billow out from beneath the towering Falcon Heavy as 5,130,000 lbf of thrust force the behemoth off the launch pad.

As the rocket soars upward, a thunderous roar resonates deep within my chest like a continuous explosion of booming fireworks. The rocket's glowing exhaust emits a flickering trail of flames like the tail of Phoenix rising toward the heavens.

It was viscerally sublime. As the rocket slowly disappeared into the stratosphere, I continued to stare at the empty sky, awestruck and mesmerized. I turned to the photographer on my right, undoubtedly with a look of astonishment and at a loss for words. He turned to me with a grin and said, "Spiritual, right?"

He was right. Spiritual not in a religious sense, but as a testament to the astonishing power of human ingenuity and the relentless spirit of exploration.

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The sheer magnificence of the launch underscores a greater purpose and meaning; it embodies our insatiable thirst for discovery, one that has compelled the most brilliant among us to create an extraordinary craft that will traverse the galaxy in hopes of getting one step closer to answering humankind's most philosophical question- "are we alone?" This display of scientific ingenuity and overwhelming power offers assurance that we will stop at nothing to find the answer.

Of course, video cannot accurately represent the experience of watching a launch in person. Nevertheless, below, you'll find the video I took (at waist level) with an iPhone, along with official NASA footage of the launch.

The Falcon Heavy first stage boosters used on this launch were deemed fully expendable after this, their sixth launch. They did not return to land.

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Critical post-launch phases remain

While the initial launch was a resounding success, it wasn't time to celebrate just yet. We all made our way through the tall grass back to the press building to watch NASA's continuing live coverage on the dual monitors as several critical phases of the launch took place:

  • T+ 00:03:12- Side booster separation
  • T+ 00:04:10- Center core separation
  • T+ 00:04:20- Stage 2 first burn ignition
  • T+ 00:04:38- Payload fairing separation (to be recovered by SpaceX Go Cosmos recovery craft)
  • T+ 00:08:01- Stage 2 engine cutoff, first burn complete (3:09 minutes)
  • T+ 00:47:49- Stage 2 second burn ignition
  • T+ 00:51:02- Stage 2 engine cutoff, second burn complete (3:21 minutes)
  • T+ 01:02:40- Stage 2 Separation

The completion of each phase was met with applause and relief in the press room. However, Europa Clipper Flight Director Pranay Mishra's announcement following stage 2 separation received the biggest round of applause and even a few high-fives:

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"We can see that Clipper has successfully separated. Please say goodbye to Clipper on its way to Europa!" - Europa Clipper Flight Director Pranay Mishra

9 Years In The Making: On Site At The NASA & SpaceX Europa Clipper Launch (5)

Photo: NASA

There are many ways to watch a launch from Kennedy Space Center in person. Once again, "The Travel" has you covered. Click here to learn more.

The waiting is the hardest part...but it is so worth it

As the Europa Clipper makes its way toward Jupiter's orbit, we must wait about five and a half years before the spacecraft's nine scientific instruments begin transmitting images and data of the icy moon back to Earth.

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The images are expected to be spectacular, and the data invaluable. It is believed this mission will lay the foundation for future life-detection missions, such as the Europa Lander, which could answer the question, "Are we alone?" once and for all.

As we continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, these missions remind us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. Attending the launch of the Europa Clipper was more than just a personal milestone; it was a profound experience that deepened my appreciation for the incredible work done by NASA and its partners.

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It was a great honor to have been present as the Europa Clipper embarked on its historic journey, one that ushers in an unprecedented era of exploration and discovery and inspires the imaginations of future generations. Godspeed, Europa Clipper. We look forward to hearing all about your trip.

9 Years In The Making: On Site At The NASA & SpaceX Europa Clipper Launch (2024)

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