2023-04-16 06:33:00
A European Space Agency launched last Friday (14) the mission Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE). The event took place following a postponement because of unfavorable weather conditions. From there, the equipment will travel to Jupiter to study the planet and its natural satellites.
The vehicle left the platform of the Guyanais Space Center, located in French Guiana, at 9:15 am (Brasília time) and should travel approximately eight years to its destination. It arrived at the launch site in the month of February and installed in the upper stage of the rocket Ariane 5 in early April.
About 30 minutes following launch, JUICE sent the first signal to the mission control center. This will happen following the vehicle separates from the rocket’s upper stage. With verification of communication with the ship, the next step was to deploy the solar panels.
The next phases then include getting your instruments implanted, which should take place over the next two weeks. Then, the scientists will start checking the spacecraft’s operation, which should last around three months.
Only following confirming the success of this step will the spacecraft start the cruise phase to go to Jupiter. If everything goes as planned, the vehicle should arrive on the planet in December 2031. The replay of the JUICE launch is available on Youtube.
Still on Jupiter: recently new moons were discovered, totaling 90 around the planet and an exoplanet four times larger than it was found orbiting a star close to the Solar System.
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