Konstantin Sukharnikov Scientific instrumentation

A hobby. An independent overview compiled from public sources by a science and space enthusiast. I am not involved in these missions or facilities; my own work is detector electronics at European XFEL. My projects →

Mission · Jupiter

JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer)

Orbiter; in 2034 it moves into orbit around Ganymede

Status
Cruise
Launched
14 Apr 2023
Target
Jupiter, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa
Agencies
ESA
Next
Jan 2029 final Earth gravity assist

Summary

ESA's flagship mission to Jupiter's icy moons. It will study the subsurface oceans of Ganymede, Callisto and Europa, and in 2034 it will become the first spacecraft to orbit the moon of another planet (Ganymede).

Now as of 3 Nov 2026

On 28 September 2026 it passed over the Indian Ocean at an altitude of 8,640 km. The Earth gravity assist went as planned and needed only one small correction out of six scheduled. The instruments operated from 23 September to 3 October and imaged the Earth and the Moon (ESA, ESA video).

Key dates

  1. 14 Apr 2023Launch (Ariane 5)done
  2. 19–20 Aug 2024First-ever lunar–Earth double gravity assistdone
  3. 31 Aug 2025Venus gravity assistdone
  4. 28 Sep 2026Earth gravity assist (8,640 km)done
  5. Jan 2029Final Earth gravity assistplanned
  6. Jul 2031Jupiter orbit insertionplanned
  7. Dec 2034Transfer to Ganymede orbitplanned

Timeline

  1. Oct 2026Film of the Earth flyby released — ESA
  2. 28 Sep 2026Successful Earth gravity assist at 8,640 km — ESA, Sky at Night