Seeking Out New Life On Jupiter's Moons - The JUICE Mission

 

Europa 

Every time I see its image, or hear its name, the chill bumps always rise. 

2001: A Space Odyssey, set it on a stage, brought it into fame.

This Jovian Moon was hosting a Monolith-Messenger , that was seeking new life and knowledge.

2023: A New Odyssey

Who knew?

The European Space Agency(ESA) and NASA are partnering on a mission to Jupiter and three of its moons: 

Europa; Gamymede; and Callisto 

Spacecraft -  "Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer" (JUICE) launched just weeks ago, April 14, 2023

There is strong evidence that  Europa has an ocean below its icy surface which is 10 to 15 miles thick - containing twice as much water than all of Earth's oceans.. As always, where there's water, there may be life.


- Gamymede in the foreground

It is the most massive natural satellite of Jupiter and the largest moon in the Solar System.  It's even larger than the planet, Mercury. And it probably contains more water than all the water on Earth's surface. It's believed that its ocean is covered by a mostly icy crust that's 95 miles thick. 


Callilsto

It's the second largest Jupiter Moon after Gamymede, and the third largest moon in the Solar System. Water Ice has been detected on its surface, and it might contain a subsurface ocean deeper than 62 miles. 

Long Time, Long Journey -

JUICE won't reach Jupiter until 2031.

Jupiter is approx. 548 million miles from Earth - Stay Tuned

NASA also plans on launching the Europa Clipper/Orbiter in October 2024 - Again, seeking out conditions that might be suitable for Life...

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Links -  

NASA  - Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE)

NASA - Europa Clipper















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