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"We're going to make history," agrees Kosmo. "Those sad sacks down on Earth can't stop us."

Over the next few months, you throw yourself into the mission, staying up late each night and focusing on every detail. Worldly concerns drop away as you turn your activities solely to Europa.

The days blur together in a haze of meetings and training, punctuated by minor setbacks. The two intact rockets are sent off without further harm.

Eventually, in the brief window where the distance between Earth and Europa is at its shortest, the day of launch arrives.

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