The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer Mission: Launch Prep | European Space Agency

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer Mission: Launch Prep | European Space Agency

A grand odyssey of exploration is about to begin. Humankind’s next bold mission to the outer Solar System, the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, is poised to explore giant planet Jupiter and its largest moons. These intriguing worlds have piqued our curiosity ever since Galileo first raised his telescope to the planet and discovered its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, three of which are thought to harbor underground oceans.

Early space probes visiting the Jovian system have raised more questions than answers. Thanks to Juice, many of those answers are now within reach. The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching the spacecraft in April 2023 on an eight-year journey to the distant planet.

To uncover the hidden secrets of these mysterious worlds, Juice is equipped with the most powerful science instruments ever sent to the outer Solar System. The spacecraft will face many dangers along the way: radiation, extreme temperatures, and the vast gravitational pull of Jupiter, all while operating hundreds of millions of kilometers from Earth. However, in the safe hands of ESA’s operators to guide it safely through these challenges, the dangers will be worth it for the science that Juice is destined to uncover. 

The countdown to this new era of Jupiter system exploration has begun. Stay tuned: www.esa.int/juice

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission will complement the European Space Agency's JUICE Mission. Juice will fly-by Europa twice and Callisto multiple times before moving into orbit around Ganymede.

Credit: Produced by ESA/ATG medialab

Duration: 3 minutes, 28 seconds

Release Date: Feb. 9, 2023  

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