JUICE

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Context:

• The European Space Agency’s Juice mission is making two historic firsts on its long journey to study the potential habitability of Jupiter’s icy moons.

About the Mission:

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, commonly referred to as JUICE, is an ambitious interplanetary mission developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) that sets out to enhance our understanding of the Jovian system, specifically focusing on Jupiter's three largest icy moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.

Mission Background and Development

• The genesis of the JUICE mission can be traced back to the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter proposal.
• Initially, it was conceived as part of the Europa Jupiter System Mission – Laplace (EJSM-Laplace), which was a collaborative effort that ultimately got cancelled.
• However, in a reformulated endeavor, JUICE emerged as a strong candidate for ESA’s first L-class mission (flagship mission) under the Cosmic Vision Programme.
• On May 2, 2012, JUICE was officially selected, marking a significant milestone for space exploration.

Objectives of the Mission

JUICE aims to conduct an in-depth study of the three icy moons of Jupiter:

• Ganymede
• Callisto
• Europa

These moons are of particular interest because they are believed to harbor subsurface oceans beneath their icy crusts, making them prime candidates in the search for extraterrestrial life.

The objectives of JUICE are multifaceted:

• Study of Subsurface Oceans: Using a suite of scientific instruments, JUICE will probe beneath the icy surfaces to gather data on the composition, depth, and dynamics of these hidden oceans.
• Magnetic Interactions: The mission will study the interaction between Jupiter’s magnetosphere and the magnetic fields of its moons, particularly Ganymede, which is unique as it possesses its own intrinsic magnetic field.
• Atmospheric and Ionospheric Analysis: JUICE will investigate the neutral atmospheres and ionospheres of Jupiter and its moons, contributing valuable data regarding their composition and dynamics.
• Surface and Geology: Detailed mapping and analysis of the surfaces of these moons will provide insights into their geological history and current state.

Instruments and Experiments

JUICE is equipped with an array of sophisticated instruments designed to achieve its scientific objectives:

• 3GM (Gravity and Geophysics of Jupiter and Galilean Moons): This experiment will study the gravity fields of Jupiter and its moons to understand their internal structures and the extent of their subsurface oceans.
• PRIDE (Planetary Radio Interferometer and Doppler Experiment): PRIDE will conduct precise measurements of gravitational fields using very-long-baseline interferometry.
• Magnetometer Suite: A dedicated set of sensors will measure magnetic fields to study the interaction between Jovian and moon magnetic environments.

Overlapping Missions and International Collaboration

• JUICE's mission period will overlap with NASA's Europa Clipper mission, which is set to launch in October 2024.
• This coinciding timeframe will facilitate complementary studies and expanded data collection, thus enriching our understanding of the Jovian system.

Significance

• The JUICE mission is a landmark in planetary exploration as it ventures into the relatively unexplored icy worlds of the outer solar system.
• By studying these moons, JUICE aims to uncover clues about the conditions necessary for habitability and the potential for life beyond Earth.

OTHER MISSIONS TO JUPITER

Conclusion

• The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer is a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge about the solar system.
• It stands to offer groundbreaking discoveries about Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, and contributes to the broader quest to find habitable environments elsewhere in the cosmos.

Reference

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_international/issues/96072/OPS/GQLD7N1QU.1.png?cropFromPage=true