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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Ian Sample Science editor

Blast-off to Jupiter moons postponed for fear of lightning strikes

Man with arms crossed in front of note on a computer screen saying Juice launch is postponed.
‘Not what we hoped for.’ The launch of Juice is now scheduled for Friday at 1.14pm UK time. Photograph: Shutterstock

The European Space Agency has postponed its mission to Jupiter after weather forecasters flagged a risk of lightning strikes at its spaceport in French Guiana.

Mission controllers on Thursday scrapped the launch about 10 minutes before the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, spacecraft was due to blast off on an eight-year voyage to survey a trio of Jovian moons where life may once have gained a foothold.

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