MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. (May 22, 2024) — The 729th Airlift Squadron is gearing up for a landmark mission, transporting NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This mission highlights the crucial partnership between the military and scientific communities, demonstrating the synergy that advances both national defense and space exploration.
Last night, the Europa Clipper was moved from JPL to March Air Reserve Base. Today, crews are assembling ramps to load the spacecraft onto the aircraft for its journey to Florida. The Europa Clipper mission is the first dedicated mission to Europa, a moon of Jupiter with a solid ice layer and a subsurface ocean. These features make Europa a prime candidate for the search for extraterrestrial life. David Levine, ATLO Deputy Mechanical Engineer, emphasized the importance of this mission, noting that the process involves the intricate task of integrating hundreds of components into a complex machine.
Kevin Wilt from JPL provided further insight into the mission’s objectives.
“The spacecraft is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments to gather data during its passes by Europa. We're interested in Europa because it's a water world with a thick ice sheet and an ocean underneath, which could indicate potential for life,” Wilt explained. The spacecraft is set to launch in October and will take about six and a half to seven years to reach its destination.
Wilt expressed his excitement about the mission. “This is a big international effort and a lot of fun. Working with the Air Force here at March and seeing their excitement is gratifying.”
MSgt. Michael Edrington of the 452nd Operations Support Squadron shared his enthusiasm for the mission, given his background in Earth science.
“Exploring another planet’s moon to see if alien life is sustainable is incredibly amazing to me. This is one of the biggest pieces of cargo I’ve ever loaded, and it’s fascinating,” Edrington said. He highlighted the meticulous planning involved in handling such a large piece of cargo, ensuring it fits securely inside the aircraft.
The 729th Airlift Squadron’s involvement in the Europa Clipper mission is a testament to the importance of joint enterprises between the military and NASA. Such partnerships leverage the strengths of both organizations, driving advancements in technology and expanding our understanding of the universe. As the Europa Clipper embarks on its journey to uncover the mysteries of Jupiter’s moon, it stands as a symbol of human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
“These satellites we send out to explore are man-made marvels, and it’s one of the most difficult things we can do. We learn about the world around us by doing so,” Levine said. “I think it's important for us to go and explore the world around us, and this is the way. We don't build great pyramids anymore; we don't have The Great Wall of China. This is a worthwhile way for people to spend their tax dollars.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2025 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 545894 |
| Location: | MARCH AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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