The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched a spacecraft to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa and investigate the presence of life on the icy moon. Launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, the spacecraft will investigate whether Europa’s subsurface crust harbors a frozen ocean and any traces of potential life. According to information shared by the space agency, the spacecraft named Europa Clipper is expected to enter Jupiter’s orbit in April 2030.

As part of the $5.2 billion project, Europa Clipper will explore the underground ocean predicted to exist on Jupiter’s moon to determine the essential components needed to support life, including the correct chemical elements and an energy source. Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon, is believed to be similar in size to Earth’s moon but is thought to contain an underground ocean holding twice as much water as all of Earth’s oceans combined.

The planned launch of Europa Clipper by NASA, which was initially scheduled for last week, was delayed due to the impact of Hurricane Milton in Florida. Following the storm’s departure from Florida towards the Atlantic Ocean, it was reported that there were no obstacles preventing the spacecraft’s launch today. NASA anticipates that the mission on Europa’s moon will last at least three years and may be extended depending on circumstances.