The countdown has begun for the launch of the Ariane 5 VA 260 with Juice, the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer, on board. This exciting mission is set to take humankind on a journey to the outer Solar System, with the aim of characterising Ganymede, Callisto and Europa as potential habitats for past or present life. Juice will be equipped with a powerful suite of remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments to gather data on these fascinating destinations.
But that’s not all. Juice will also be studying Jupiter’s complex magnetic, radiation and plasma environment in depth, as well as its interplay with the moons. This will provide valuable insights into gas giant systems across the Universe.
The journey to Jupiter will take eight years, with Juice arriving in July 2031. To get there, the spacecraft will make use of four gravity-assist fly-bys of the Earth-Moon system, Venus and Earth twice. This will help to gain momentum and direction for the long journey ahead.
Flight VA 260 will mark the end of an era, as it will be the final Ariane 5 flight to carry an ESA mission to space. This historic launch is sure to be one for the books, as we embark on a mission to explore some of the most intriguing destinations in our Solar System.
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