Europa Clipper Plane Dismantled For Launch Preparation

Europa Clipper spacecraft (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Europa Clipper, NASA-made spacecraft, will be dismantled to be assembled by technicians. The aircraft will be installed with antennas, solar panels, to propellants to assist aircraft. Initially, the spacecraft was on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to be assembled. After that, the Europa Clipper was moved to the Kennedy Space Center on May 23 using the US Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane. The plane arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on May 28 after traveling more than 2,500 miles. Now, the Europa Clipper is being lifted and vertically rotated at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). While at the PHSF, the plane to observe the Europa moon will carry out a number of important activities that support its future launch. This device must be paired with several important components. "Including high-power antennas, install solar panels to power the spacecraft, and load propellants that will help guide the spacecraft to its destination," NASA said in its official blog.

If all components are installed, including the instrument, Europe's Clipper will be launched into space on October 10. The aircraft will take off with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. The aircraft will carry nine science instruments to support the course of research. The aircraft will also monitor Europa in close proximity while making 50 flights to find out if the moon can support life.