All set for the launch of ESA’s JUICE mission to Jupiter

11 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

ESA finalizes preparations for the launch of the ambitious European JUICE mission to the Jupiter system, scheduled for April 13, at 12:15 UTC, on an Ariane 5 rocket.

Spaceship, the size of a pickup truckwas finally assembled inside the rocket between April 1 and 3, awaiting liftoff from the European Spaceport of Kourou, in French Guiana.

After an eight-year journey, JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer), will perform detailed observations of the gas giant planet and its three large oceanic moons (Ganymede, Callisto and Europa) with a suite of remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments.

#DestinationJupiter: @ESA_JUICE is planned to launch at 13:15 BST/14:15 CEST on 13 April from @EuropeSpacePort in French Guiana. Here’s how to follow the key milestones and watch online ?? https://t.co/4DtBfdFR38 #ESAJuice #ExploreFarther pic.twitter.com/rQwLDTB1I6

— ESA (@esa) April 6, 2023

The mission will characterize these moons as planetary objects and potential habitats, further explore Jupiter’s complex environment, and study the broader Jupiter system. as an archetype of the gas giants throughout the Universe.

JUICE will be a first in the solar system for several reasons. It will be the first time that a probe gravitates around a moon other than ours, Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest satellite. On its way to this planet, we will see for the first time an Earth-Moon gravity assist maneuver to save fuel, ESA reports.

In addition, it will be last ESA mission to launch aboard an Ariane 5 from Kourou, before Ariane 6 takes over at the European Spaceport.