**NASA Launches Europa Clipper on Historic Mission to Jupiter's Moon**

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – NASA has embarked on an ambitious mission to explore Jupiter's intriguing moon, Europa, with the launch of the Europa Clipper spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The launch took place from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, initiating a journey that will span 1.8 billion miles and 5 1/2 years before reaching its destination.

Europa Clipper aims to delve into the mystery of Europa's vast, concealed ocean and assess its potential for harboring life. Although the spacecraft is not equipped with life detectors, it will focus on identifying organic compounds and other vital ingredients necessary for life. The mission will involve dozens of flybys of Europa, each exposing the spacecraft to substantial radiation from Jupiter.

Shortly after the launch, the spacecraft separated from the Falcon Heavy's upper stage and successfully made contact with mission control. "Please say goodbye to Clipper on its way to Europa," announced Pranay Mishra, the flight director at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The spacecraft, which is equipped with nine scientific instruments, will pass by Mars and Earth to gain gravitational assists on its journey to the gas giant. Upon arrival in 2030, Europa Clipper will orbit Jupiter and make frequent close passes by Europa, approaching as near as 16 miles above its surface. These flybys will allow the spacecraft to utilize onboard radar to probe the moon's thick ice crust and the deep ocean believed to lie beneath it.

NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free emphasized the importance of the mission, pointing out that scientists are still uncovering mysteries about Earth's oceans, and now they are extending their research much farther out into the solar system. Despite initial concerns about the spacecraft's transistors' vulnerability to Jupiter's radiation and a launch delay due to Hurricane Milton, the mission was cleared to proceed.

With dimensions akin to a basketball court when its solar panels are extended, the nearly 13,000-pound Europa Clipper is vectoring towards a lengthy and intricate mission that will continue until 2034. Scientists are particularly intrigued by the possibility that Europa's oceanic environment could support life today. Findings from this mission could have profound implications, potentially pointing to the habitability of other ocean worlds within our solar system and beyond, such as Saturn's moon Enceladus.

"We're so excited," exclaimed JPL Director Laurie Leshin post-launch, highlighting the enthusiasm and optimism surrounding this groundbreaking mission.