Juice

Airbus Defence and Space has secured a €350m contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to build the Jupiter icy moons explorer (Juice) spacecraft.

Said to be the largest mission of the ESA Cosmic Vision programme, Juice is planned for launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket in 2022, to arrive in the Jovian system in 2030.

Designed to explore the Jupiter system, Juice will study the planet’s icy moons and the possible ocean-bearing worlds of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

The mission will also evaluate the conditions for planet formation and emergence of life.

Airbus Defence and Space space systems head François Auque said: "Juice will address the question: are there current habitats outside Earth in the solar system with the necessary conditions to sustain life?

"Juice will address the question: are there current habitats outside Earth in the solar system with the necessary conditions to sustain life?"

"To answer this, we will develop and manufacture a fantastic spacecraft, building on our unique expertise gained in previous unrivalled space exploration missions."

Juice will weigh 5.5t and be powered by a 97m² solar generator, to produce sufficient energy in the low solar environment at Jupiter. It will feature optical, sub-millimetre, radar, magnetic electric, plasma and particle sensors.

The spacecraft will be assembled in Toulouse, France, and be supported by other ESA member states.

After launch, Juice will use gravity assist manoeuvres to cruise around the Earth, Mars and Venus for 7.5 years.

Upon entering Jupiter’s orbit, the spacecraft will complete an orbital tour over 3.5 years using multiple fly-bys. It will then set into orbit around Ganymede.

Image: An artistic view of Jupiter icy moons explorer spacecraft. Photo: © 2015 Airbus Defence and Space.