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The Planetary Society congratulates mission team on the successful launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper
“Endeavors like this don’t just happen”
Press Statement
October 14, 2024
Contact
Danielle Gunn
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-626-793-5100
Pasadena, CA (October 14, 2024) — The Planetary Society, the world’s largest independent space interest organization, issued the following statement celebrating the launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission.
Today, we celebrate the launch of a mission that can help answer one of humanity's greatest questions: could life exist beyond Earth? NASA's Europa Clipper has successfully launched, beginning its journey to Jupiter’s moon Europa — a place that holds the potential for life in its vast, hidden ocean.
We extend congratulations to the entire mission team, whose decades of dedication and hard work enabled this historic mission. Europa Clipper is more than just a triumph of engineering; it’s also a testament to what public support can accomplish. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of space enthusiasts, including the members of The Planetary Society, Europa Clipper is now on its way to unlock the mysteries of one of the most promising places to find other life in our Solar System.
Press resources
Articles
Europa Clipper, a mission to Jupiter's icy moon
Europa Clipper will help us determine if Jupiter's icy moon Europa could support life.
Europa Clipper: A mission backed by advocates
Europa Clipper will soon head for Jupiter's icy, potentially habitable moon. Without the advocacy efforts of The Planetary Society and our members, the mission may never have been possible.
Video
Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye Advocating for a Europa mission to Congress Ten years ago, Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye spoke to elected officials and staff at an event in the U.S. Capitol. At the time, NASA was reluctant to request funding for the mission. But Congress listened. In its 2015 budget request, NASA formally requested $15 million for the Europa Clipper mission. Thanks in part to ongoing advocacy efforts, the mission is finally a reality.
Image gallery
About The Planetary Society
With a global community of more than 2 million space enthusiasts, The Planetary Society is the world’s largest and most influential space advocacy organization. Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman and today led by CEO Bill Nye, we empower the public to take a meaningful role in advancing space exploration through advocacy, education outreach, scientific innovation, and global collaboration. Together with our members and supporters, we’re on a mission to explore worlds, find life off Earth, and protect our planet from dangerous asteroids. To learn more, visit www.planetary.org.
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