The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared SpaceX to proceed with the Monday launch of the reportedly European Space Agency's $398 million reportedly Hera asteroid probe. The mission is scheduled to lift off from pad 40 at reportedly the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 a.m. EDT. However, mission officials remain cautious due to an 85% probability of unfavorable weather conditions, including thick clouds and showers.
Project manager Ian Carnelli noted that while launch windows exist, the weather remains the primary variable outside of the team's control. If the launch is delayed to Tuesday, forecasters estimate a 75% chance of a "no-go" scenario. The Hera probe aims to study an asteroid, and the Falcon 9 rocket's second stage will use all its propellant to propel the spacecraft into deep space.
Simultaneously, Hurricane Milton is expected to cross the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, creating significant operational challenges for the space industry. NASA has officially placed the $5.2 billion Europa Clipper mission on hold until the storm passes. Senior launch director Tim Dunn emphasized that the safety of personnel is the highest priority before any facility assessments or recovery actions occur.
SpaceX is also managing the return of Crew-8 astronauts, including commander Matthew Dominick, Mike reportedly Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. Their departure from the International Space Station, originally set for Monday, has been delayed until at least Thursday. The Crew Dragon ferry ship requires calm wind and sea conditions in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico for a safe splashdown.
The FAA’s current clearance is limited specifically to the Hera mission while the agency oversees an investigation into a Falcon 9 second-stage malfunction from September 28. During that previous flight, the stage failed to reach its targeted re-entry point over the Pacific Ocean. The FAA requires that the cause of this mishap be understood and corrected to ensure future debris splashes down safely.
Regarding the Europa Clipper mission, the FAA has not yet addressed specific launch plans. Even if clearance is granted, the mission likely faces delays as the Falcon Heavy rocket is unlikely to be moved to the reportedly Kennedy Space Center launch pad until after the hurricane passes the region. The upper stage for the Clipper is identical to those used across the Falcon-family.
Finally, the FAA stated that the Hera mission’s profile mitigates primary public risk because the second stage will not return to Earth. The agency noted that safety will remain the driving factor for determining when SpaceX can return to regular operations following the review of the Crew-9 mishap investigation report. Officials continue to monitor both the storm's path and the regulatory requirements closely.
