The European Space Agency (ESA) is now preparing for a landmark mission to the Jupiter system. To begin the mission, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft will be launched on April 13, 2023.
This is Europe's first mission to the gas giant, and it is scheduled to arrive in 2031 after performing flybys off Venus, Earth, and the moon to gain speed and adjust its trajectory. Here's everything you need to know about the historic launch.
How to Watch the JUICE Launch Live
The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission will launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on April 13.
The launch will begin at 13:15 BST/14:15 CEST and will broadcast live on ESA Web TV and YouTube. The launch will take place from 13:45 to 16:05, followed by a post-launch press conference from 16:30 to 17:15.
Image via ESA
The launch program's key milestones will include the launch of Juice on Ariane 5 at 14:15, followed by separation from the upper stage at 14:42. The earliest expected time to acquire Juice's signal is 14:51, with solar array deployment completed by 15:55.
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Although the times may differ by a few minutes, this is a hugely exciting advancement in space exploration that promises to expand our understanding of the outer solar system. Follow the Juice mission's progress live on ESA Web TV or YouTube.
A Tight Launch Schedule for JUICE
Space.com reports that JUICE's launch schedule is incredibly tight, with only one second to get off the ground each day. The spacecraft will fly by Venus, Earth, and the moon, but only when these celestial bodies are correctly aligned, which happens only twice a year, in April and at the end of summer.
Within that one-second window, scientists must inject the spacecraft at a specific point in space so that it can continue on its preferred path.
The weather forecast for the April 13 launch calls for cloudy skies, thunderstorms, and a 76% chance of rain. In the days leading up to the launch, the JUICE team will continue to monitor the weather forecast.
If the launch is postponed due to weather or technical issues, the team will be able to try once a day for the rest of the month. If the spacecraft does not launch in April, the next available launch window will be August 2023.
JUICE Primary Mission
JUICE's primary mission is to investigate the Jupiter system and its icy moons, particularly emphasizing Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto.
These moons are thought to have oceans beneath their icy crusts (hence the mission name), making them ideal targets for astrobiology research. The spacecraft will use a suite of scientific instruments to explore the moons' geology, chemistry, and environment, looking for signs of life.
JUICE's data will help scientists understand the conditions required for life and may inform future missions to explore the outer solar system.
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