Europa Clipper's payload fairings sit on either side of the payload like a clamshell. One of the spacecraft's black solar panels faces forward. The white payload fairings have blue support structures holding them in place.

NASA’s Europa Clipper Encapsulation

Technicians encapsulated NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft inside payload fairings on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The fairings will protect the spacecraft during launch as it begins its journey to explore Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa. The mission will help scientists determine if the moon could support life. NASA and SpaceX are targeting launch at 12:31 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Credits: NASA/Ben Smegelsky