# @nasa on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DBH1hjrJtGM
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/24081153-nasa-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/ce6cea29ff.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-10-14T23:08:28.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** NASA (@NASA) — https://gondola.cc/NASA

## Caption

Leaving our water world, to explore another 🚀
 
Today, our #EuropaClipper mission lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Heavy rocket from NASAKennedy, beginning its 1.8-billion-mile journey to explore one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa. Our largest planetary spacecraft yet, it spans more than 100 feet (about 30 meters) – about the length of a basketball court.
 
Comet (C/2023 A3) photobombed the rocket while still on the launch pad. Can you spot it? Hint in the image descriptions below.
 
Jupiter moon Europa shows strong evidence for liquid water ocean beneath its icy crust. Beyond Earth, Europa is considered one of the most promising potentially habitable environments in our solar system.
 
Developed by NASAJPL, Clipper is set to perform 49 flybys, gathering measurements to see if the Europa could have conditions suitable for life. This is not a life detection mission; its main goal is to determine if Europa could support life.
 
Image descriptions:
1. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket stands vertical with our Europa Clipper spacecraft encapsulated atop the rocket, illuminated by bright light. To the right, the streak of a distant comet can be seen.
 
2. A closeup photo of the Clipper spacecraft encapsulated in a payload fairing atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The fairing has a NASA insignia and logo for Europa Clipper on the side. The waxing gibbous Moon hangs in the blue sky at right.
 
3. Tendrils of vapor trail down the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Yellow-white flame emanates from the rocket, lifting it into the light blue sky and obscuring the launch pad. A water tower stands to the right of the frame.
 
4. Three columns of flame boost a white SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket off its launch pad into a blue daytime sky. Clouds of smoke billow to the lower left of the frame, while the launch tower stands stalwart to the right.
 
5. A white vapor trail stretches up from the horizon rising into the light blue Florida sky. Still water stretches from the horizon to the bottom of the frame, where it is fringed with plants.
 
Credits: 1-4. SpaceX; 5. NASA/Ben Smegelsky
 
#NASA #Rocket #Launch #Space #Europa #SolarSystem #Planets #Jupiter

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## Tags

jupiter, europa, nasa, planets, rocket, launch, space, europaclipper, solarsystem

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