NASA’s Europa Clipper Spacecraft Separates From Falcon Heavy Second Stage

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft separates from the Falcon Heavy second stage after launch on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image credit: NASA+

The second stage of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy completed its Earth departure burn, and NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft separated from the second stage. Technicians will now work to acquire signal from the spacecraft to verify its health and the spacecraft will spread its massive solar arrays to power itself as it continues on its mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa.