ESA’s JUICE satellite launches for Jupiter’s icy moons

The ESA’s landmark project will mark the first time that a spacecraft will orbit and study Jupiter's icy moons. This ambitious mission aims to uncover the mysteries surrounding the potential for life on these moons and to deepen our understanding of the gas-giant planet itself.

Jupiter's moons are believed to have the potential for harbouring life due to their subsurface oceans, something that has been of key scientific interest for decades. JUICE aims to explore three of Jupiter's largest moons: Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto. These moons are believed to contain large amounts of liquid water under their icy surfaces, which is essential for life as we know it.

The JUICE spacecraft will be equipped with 10 scientific instruments that will allow it to study the icy moons in great detail. One of the key instruments is a high-resolution camera that will capture images of the surface of the moons in unprecedented detail. Another important instrument is a radar system that will penetrate the icy surface of the moons and map their subsurface structure.

JUICE will also carry a suite of scientific instruments to study the magnetic field and plasma environment around Jupiter, which will provide valuable insights into the planet's formation and evolution. By studying the interactions between the magnetic field of Jupiter and its moons, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of how the planet's magnetic field influences the evolution of the moons.

The JUICE mission is not just about scientific discovery, but also about international collaboration. The mission involves partnerships with multiple international space agencies, including NASA, which will contribute key instruments and technology to the mission.

The launch of the JUICE mission is a significant milestone for the European Space Agency and for planetary exploration. The mission will pave the way for future missions to study the potential for life on other icy moons in our solar system and beyond.

The spacecraft will travel for seven years before arriving at Jupiter in 2030, where it will begin its scientific mission. In order to get to its destination, the craft will slingshot around the Sun four times, the Earth and Moon twice, and finally Venus once to generate the momentum required. The mission is expected to last for at least three years, during which time the JUICE spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and its moons, gathering valuable data that will shape our understanding of the solar system and our place in it.