Europe successfully launches spacecraft toward the moons of Jupiter [Updated]

Enlarge / Liftoff of the Juice spacecraft on an Ariane 5 rocket. (credit: ESA)

10:00 am ET Friday: After a one-day delay due to lightning, an Ariane 5 rocket successfully lifted off from French Guiana on Friday morning carrying the Juice spacecraft. About 40 minutes after the launch, the European Space Agency successfully took control of the spacecraft after it separated from the rocket’s upper stage.

Although a critical one, this is but the first step on a long journey into space for the probe, which will spend the next eight years reaching Jupiter. But with a healthy spacecraft and a good trajectory, this is the best possible start European scientists could have hoped for.

Original post: As soon as Thursday morning, the European Space Agency will launch a large probe to Jupiter to study some of the giant planet’s most intriguing moons.