In 2023, a spacecraft was launched to explore the largest planet in our solar system and its icy moons in depth. Eight years later, it will finally reach its target

JUICE, or JUpiter ICy moons Explorer, will travel through the Solar System before reaching Jupiter in July 2031. During its mission, the ESA's spacecraft will study Jupiter and three large moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. The spacecraft will examine their surfaces, interiors, magnetic fields and possible subsurface oceans.

JUICE mission will study Jupiter and its icy moons

The JUICE mission is an interplanetary mission led by ESA. It is designed to study Jupiter and three of its large ocean-bearing moons. The spacecraft will make detailed observations using remote sensing, geophysical and in-situ instruments.


Its science targets include:

• Jupiter
• Ganymede
• Callisto
• Europa
• Jupiter’s magnetic, radiation and plasma environment

The moons will be studied as planetary objects and possible habitats. Scientists will also examine their subsurface oceans and geological and magnetic evolution.

JUICE launch and journey to Jupiter

JUICE was launched on April 14, 2023, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. An Ariane 5 rocket carried the spacecraft into space. The spacecraft will make different planetary flybys in its journey.

Its planned flybys include:

• August 2024: Lunar-Earth flyby
• August 2025: Venus flyby
• September 2026: Earth flyby
• January 2029: Earth flyby
• July 2031: Arrival at Jupiter

The journey will take about eight years from launch to arrival at Jupiter.

What will JUICE study?

JUICE will examine Jupiter’s complex environment and its interaction with its moons. It will study magnetic fields, radiation and plasma around the planet. The spacecraft will focus on Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. These moons may contain evidence of water beneath their surfaces. So, they are important targets for studying possible habitats. ESA describes the Jupiter system as an archetype for gas giants across the Universe.

JUICE partners and mission role

ESA leads the mission with contributions from NASA, JAXA and the Israel Space Agency. JUICE is an orbiter. After touring the Jovian system, it is planned to become the first spacecraft to orbit a moon in the outer Solar System when it enters orbit around Ganymede. The mission aims to improve understanding of Jupiter, its moons and the conditions that may support life.