NASA, SpaceX assess KSC damage before setting Europa Clipper launch on Falcon Heavy
Although Hurricane Milton has left Florida, NASA and SpaceX will have to wait for Kennedy Space Center to reopen before it can try and launch the Europa Clipper mission to the icy Jupiter moon for which it’s been named.
“The safety of everyone impacted by the storm remains our top priority as the agency begins the assessment and recovery process from the hurricane,” reads a post from NASA.
Winds were still gusting to near 70 mph on the Space Coast as of 8 a.m. Thursday as the hurricane moved out into the Atlantic. On Wednesday, KSC and neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station fell under two tornado warnings, but the extent of any damage has yet to be reported.
“Once the winds subsided to a safe level, the center’s Ride Out Team and engineering teams began initial checkouts to ensure bridges are safe and useable. Later, a larger assessment team will thoroughly check the entire center,” NASA posted.
The marquee mission for NASA plans to send the $5.2 billion satellite on what would be just the second Falcon Heavy launch of the year from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A no earlier than Sunday, Oct. 13, which if it launched would target a 12:12 p.m. liftoff. A Monday backup would come at 12:06 p.m., but there are launch opportunities for the mission through Nov. 6.