The European Space Agency’s Juice craft is set to return to Earth tonight, marking a historic fly-by. Flight controllers will navigate the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice), equipped with UK-made scientific instruments, past the moon and then Earth.
This challenging manoeuvre will see Juice using the moon’s gravity and then Earth’s to slow down and gain momentum for its journey to Jupiter via Venus. The mission, which commenced in April 2023, spans 4.1 billion miles and will take over eight years to complete.
Juice carries 10 scientific instruments designed to explore whether Jupiter’s moons Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede have life-supporting oceans. ESA experts acknowledge that even a minor error could derail the mission.
RIME & REASON: once at Jupiter, Juice and Europa Clipper will do complimentary and coordinated observations. Scientists from both @NASA and @ESA work on some of the respective spacecraft’s science instruments, such as Juice’s RIME and Europa Clipper’s REASON radar experiments. pic.twitter.com/urUxQzAMt1
— NASA Europa Clipper (@EuropaClipper) August 15, 2024
From 11.57pm on Monday until early Tuesday, the agency will execute a double world-first with the lunar-Earth fly-by and double gravity assist. This will alter Juice’s speed and trajectory, setting it on course for a Venus fly-by in August 2025. Following this, Venus and Earth will provide energy boosts to speed up the spacecraft.
Stargazers might spot Juice passing overhead, especially over South East Asia and the Pacific Ocean, using binoculars or a telescope. Two onboard cameras will capture images during the fly-by, which will be publicly shared upon receipt.
Jupiter lies about 800 million kilometres from Earth. Directly sending Juice to the gas giant would necessitate an unfeasible 60,000kg of propellant. The UK Space Agency has invested around £9m in Juice, contributing to the development of its scientific instruments. These include imaging devices, surface recording systems, and atmospheric sensors. The UK has also led the creation of the magnetometer (J-MAG), which measures magnetic fields.
Dr Caroline Harper, head of space science at the UK Space Agency, emphasised the precision required for the manoeuvre, noting its unprecedented nature. She highlighted the fuel efficiency of the approach, allowing Juice to conduct extensive scientific work upon reaching its destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the Juice spacecraft doing tonight?
Juice is performing a fly-by past the moon and Earth.
Why is Juice using the moon and Earth for a fly-by?
Juice uses their gravity as a natural brake and slingshot to Jupiter.
When did the Juice mission launch?
The Juice mission launched in April 2023.
What will Juice investigate on Jupiter’s moons?
Juice will investigate whether Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede can support life.
Can I see the Juice spacecraft from Earth?
Yes, with powerful binoculars or a telescope, especially over South East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.