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JUpiter Icy moons Explorer, is an international spacecraft exploration to the Jovian system, led by ESA (European Space Agency) in collaboration with Japan, the United States, and Israel.
The spacecraft will be launched in 2023 and will arrive at the Jovian system in 2031. In 2034, it will enter orbit around Ganymede. The JUICE mission is our "great journey" to the outer Solar system.
To Solve the Mystery on the Origin of Our Solar System
How did our Solar System form? Where did Earth's atmosphere and water come from? Jupiter may be a key to solve these questions. Jupiter is 300 times heavier than Earth and is the largest gas giant in the Solar System. Owing to Jupiter's strong gravity, the structure of our Solar System has been determined in the early Solar System.
When and how did Jupiter form? Since Jupiter has a dense atmosphere, direct observations of Jupiter’s building materials are difficult. However, its moons are thought to have formed from the same building materials. JUICE will investigate the chemistry of a geologically non-active, Jovian icy moon, Callisto, which is a “fossil” to reveal the origin of the Jovian system.
Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Jovian icy satellites look like snowballs in the space, but their interiors can be heated by Jupiter’s strong gravity and radioactive elements within the rocky cores. Some of the geologically-active icy moons would possess liquid subsurface oceans. Does Europa or Ganymede have subsurface oceans? Is the oceanic chemistry similar to that of Earth? The JUICE mission will address these questions concerning the habitability of the icy moons.
The Most Powerful Accelerator in the Solar System
Jupiter is a dynamic planet. Jupiter’s magnetic field rotates at a high velocity. The magnetic field of Jupiter accelerates surrounding plasma from the Sun and causes large-scale aurora. The JUICE mission aims to clarify the dynamics and physical mechanisms of the dynamic phenomena.
Jupiter
The largest planet in the Solar System. Jupiter is 300 times heavier than Earth. Owing to its strong gravity, Jupiter has determined the structure of the Solar System in the early stages. JUICE will explore the atmospheric composition, dynamics, magnetic field, and plasma environments.
Io
The innermost Jovian moon, mostly made of rocks. Due to tidal heating caused by the Jupiter’s gravity, Io becomes the most geologically active object in the Solar System. Any flyby is not planned in the JUICE mission, but the spacecraft will observe Io’s geological and plasma activities while orbiting around Jupiter.
Europa
The geologically-active icy moon that possesses a liquid subsurface ocean, which is covered by the icy crust. Europa may possess habitable hydrothermal systems, similar to those of Earth's ocean, on the seafloor. JUICE will perform flybys to Europa to examine its subsurface ocean and geological activities.
Ganymede
The Jupiter’s largest moon. Ganymede is the only moon that has magnetic field in the Solar System. Ganymede may also have an liquid subsurface ocean. This moon may have been geologically active in 2 billion years ago, but the current geological activity is largely unknown. Ganymede is the JUICE's main research target. The spacecraft will examine its subsurface ocean, chemistry, geological activities, and magnetic field from orbit around Ganymede.
Callisto
The outermost Jovian moon. Calisto may be undifferentiated. This means that building materials of the Jovian system would be preserved in Callisto. Through more than 30 flybys to Callisto, JUICE will investigate the chemistry and geology of this icy moon.
JUICE Spacecraft
JUICE spacecraft needs to endure in Jupiter's harsh radiation environments during the mission time. Its solar panels will create electric power even under weak sunlight at around Jupiter’s orbit.
Dimensions
- stowed for launch : 4.09 x 2.86 x 4.35 m
- deployed in orbit : 16.8 x 27.1 x 13.7 m
Mass (with propellant) : 6070 kg
- Dry mass : 2420 kg
- Propellant mass : 3650 kg
- Instrument payload mass :
280 kg（10 instruments）
Power Source : 850 W solar panels
Payload power consumption : 180 W
High-gain Antenna : 2.5 m, X＆Ka-band
High ΔV required : 2700 m/s
Radiation Level :
240 krad /10 mm Al solid sphere
Downlink Transfer Rate :
2 Gbit/day or higher
Science Instruments
JUICE carry 10 science instruments. Japanese research teams provide parts of four science instruments (RPWI,GALA, SWI, and PEP/JNA). Japanese researchers also participate in science using other instruments, such as JANUS and J-MAG.
| List of Scientific InstrumentsSupplied by JAXA : ★Supplied by NICT : ☆Developed with Japanese Researchers: ◯ | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | ||||
| ◯ | JANUS | High resolution visible spectra camera | ||
| MAJIS | Moons And Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer | |||
| ☆ ◯ | SWI | Submillimetre Wave Instrument | ||
| UVS | UV Imaging Spectrograph | |||
| RIME | Radar for Icy Moons Exploration | |||
| 3GM | Gravity and Geophysics of Jupiter and Galilean Moons | |||
| ★ ◯ | RPWI | Radio and Plasma Wave Investigations | ||
| ★ ◯ | PEP / JNA | Particle Environment Package / Jovian Neutrol Anolyzer | ||
| ◯ | J-MAG | Magnetometer for JUICE | ||
| ★ ◯ | GALA | GAnymede Laser Altimeter | ||
| PRIDE | Planetary Radio Interferometer and Doppler Experiment | |||
The JUICE spacecraft will be launched in 2023 with Ariane 5 rocket. The spacecraft will arrive at the Jovian system in 2031 and will enter Ganymede’s orbit in 2034. The nominal mission will be completed in June 2033.
In 2031–2034, the spacecraft will flyby to Europa twice and to Callisto more than 30 times. The spacecraft will orbit 500 km above the surface of Ganymede.
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