Updates Mission to a Hidden Ocean: The Europa Clipper

Watching High Bay 1 all day long ...can not think of much being nerdier than that ;)
 
uh oh...

NASA’s flagship mission to Europa has a problem: Vulnerability to radiation



"The issue with the transistors came to light in May when the mission team was advised that similar parts were failing at lower radiation doses than expected,"

Ars reached out to several experts familiar with the Clipper mission to gauge the likelihood that it would make the October launch window, and opinions were mixed. The consensus view was between a 40 to 60 percent chance of becoming comfortable enough with the issue to launch this fall. If NASA engineers cannot become confident with the existing setup, the transistors would need to be replaced.

The Clipper mission has launch opportunities in 2025 and 2026, but these could lead to additional delays. This is due to the need for multiple gravitational assists. The 2024 launch follows a "MEGA" trajectory, including a Mars flyby in 2025 and an Earth flyby in late 2026—Mars-Earth Gravitational Assist. If Clipper launches a year late, it would necessitate a second Earth flyby. A launch in 2026 would revert to a MEGA trajectory. Ars has asked NASA for timelines of launches in 2025 and 2026 and will update if they provide this information.
 
Side core separation!
 
Core separation and 2º stage ignition!
Fairing separation!
 
In parking orbit! Now coasting to the injection point.
 
Are the recovering the boosters? Looks like the core is not being recovered.

EDIT: Apparently needed the dV, so no recovery of core or boosters:


NasaSpaceFlight said:
Due to the nature of Europa Clipper’s mission and its destination, all three Falcon boosters will be expended and not land on land at one of SpaceX’s landing zones or autonomous drone ships at sea.
 
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Injection coming up!
 
Shutdown!
Spacecraft separation next.
 
Spacecraft separation!!!
 
Telemetry being processed!!!
 
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