Experience the thrilling launch of ESA’s Euclid spacecraft as it embarks on a groundbreaking mission to explore the mysteries of the dark Universe. Discover the origin of the Universe’s accelerating expansion, delve into the enigmatic realms of dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. The European Space Agency (ESA) will be broadcasting the launch live, set to take place on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:11 EDT (local time) / 16:11 BST / 17:11 CEST. Please note that a backup launch date of Sunday, July 2, 2023, is also scheduled.
Here’s how you can follow the launch online.
All times are in EDT and are subject to change at short notice.
Step 1: Tune in from 10:30 a.m. EDT on July 1
To witness the historic launch, you can directly access ESA Web TV or watch the livestream on the ESA Youtube channel:
10:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Launch program
Key milestones
Throughout the launch day, ESA’s social media channels will cover the following key milestones:
11:11 a.m. – Euclid launch on SpaceX Falcon 9
11:53 a.m. – Separation of Euclid from Falcon 9
11:57 a.m. – Earliest expected time to acquire Euclid’s signal
Please note that the times provided are specific to the launch occurring on July 1 and may vary by a few minutes.
ESA’s Euclid mission aims to unravel the secrets of dark matter and dark energy, two enigmatic components that shape the composition of the universe. Although they have evaded direct detection, their influence is believed to dominate the cosmic landscape. Euclid will construct a comprehensive 3D map of the Universe, utilizing time as the third dimension, by observing billions of galaxies located up to 10 billion light-years away. This extensive mapping will enable scientists to chart the position and velocity of galaxies across immense distances and throughout cosmic history, ultimately shedding light on the expansion of the Universe over time.
The primary objective of the Euclid mission is to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of dark energy and dark matter, two profound mysteries of modern physics. By surveying galaxies in the Universe using a 1.2-meter diameter telescope and two advanced instruments for capturing visible and near-infrared imagery, Euclid will strive to achieve this goal.
Through its investigation of the distance-redshift relationship and the evolution of cosmic structures, the Euclid mission aims to map the intricate geometry of the dark Universe. This endeavor entails measuring the shapes and redshifts of galaxies and galaxy clusters up to redshifts ~2, corresponding to a look-back time of 10 billion years. By doing so, the mission seeks to enhance our comprehension of the Universe’s accelerating expansion, currently attributed to the enigmatic force of dark energy.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Euclid launch
When is the launch of the Euclid spacecraft?
The launch of the Euclid spacecraft is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:11 EDT (local time) / 16:11 BST / 17:11 CEST. A backup launch date of Sunday, July 2, 2023, is also planned.
How can I watch the launch live?
To watch the launch live, you can tune into ESA Web TV directly or access the livestream on the ESA Youtube channel. The coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. EDT on July 1. Keep in mind that times are subject to change at short notice.
What is the Euclid mission about?
The Euclid mission is an endeavor by the European Space Agency (ESA) to explore the dark Universe. It aims to investigate the origin of the Universe’s accelerating expansion, as well as the nature of dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. Euclid will create a 3D map of the Universe by observing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away.
What are the key milestones of the launch?
The key milestones of the launch program include:
- 11:11 a.m.: Euclid launch on SpaceX Falcon 9
- 11:53 a.m.: Separation of Euclid from Falcon 9
- 11:57 a.m.: Earliest expected time to acquire Euclid’s signal
Please note that these times are specific to the launch on July 1 and may have slight variations.
What is the primary goal of the Euclid mission?
The primary goal of the Euclid mission is to gain a better understanding of dark energy and dark matter, which are two major mysteries of modern physics. By surveying galaxies in the Universe using advanced instruments, Euclid aims to map the geometry of the dark Universe, investigate the distance-redshift relationship, and study the evolution of cosmic structures.
3 comments
wow! sooo cool! can’t wait 4 the launch of euclid! exploring da dark universe and finding out about dark energy n dark matter sounds mind-blowing! gonna watch it live on esa web tv or youtube!! #excited
omg! euclid is gonna make a 3d map of the universe!! like a cosmic gps! gonna watch it on july 1st! hope the launch goes smothly. dark energy and dark matter are such big mysteries, can’t wait to learn more! #spacegeek
whoa! euclid launch is happening soon! gonna set my alarm for 11:11 am edt! hope euclid finds some mind-bending stuff out there in the dark universe. fingers crossed for a successful mission! #EuclidMission