The highly anticipated launch of Europe’s mission to Jupiter, known as Juice, was cancelled due to a lightning strike near the launch site in French Guiana. The European Space Agency (ESA) made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that they had no choice but to postpone the launch for safety reasons.
This is not the first time weather has affected space missions. In 1986, NASA’s Challenger shuttle exploded shortly after takeoff due to cold temperatures affecting the performance of O-ring seals in one of its solid rocket boosters. In 2018, SpaceX postponed a Falcon 9 rocket launch due to high-altitude winds.
The Juice mission aims to study Jupiter and its moons over a period of three and a half years. It will be equipped with nine scientific instruments designed to explore various aspects of the gas giant planet and its icy moons.
The next attempt at launching Juice is scheduled for Friday. However, there are concerns that unfavorable weather conditions may delay it further. ESA officials have assured the public that they are closely monitoring weather patterns and will make an informed decision regarding Friday’s launch attempt.