Scientists have always been looking for the answer to the question whether we are alone in this world or there is life somewhere outside the earth? If we talk about finding life in our solar system, then the first target of scientists is Mars.
At the same time, scientists consider the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn to be most suitable for life. Scientists will launch a new spacecraft this week only to search for life. The spacecraft will make an arduous eight-year journey to Jupiter’s moon. The name of this spacecraft is JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer-Juice).
The launch of the Zeus satellite is one of Europe’s largest missions. The spacecraft will make a close flyby of Jupiter and its three large oceanic moons, Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. When it reaches close to the mysterious world, it will also probe Jupiter with its instrument. Apart from this, it will also explore the possibility of life on the moons of Jupiter. Juice will launch Thursday, April 13, from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana.
5️⃣ days to launch! 🚀
🎶 Start your weekend by cranking up our #ESAJuice @Spotify playlist 🎶
💭Let us know if you think of any more Jupiter or icy moons songs!
▶️https://t.co/PtHQEacAF0 pic.twitter.com/DlN4AAiGkB
— ESA's Juice mission (@ESA_JUICE) April 8, 2023
Will travel 6.6 billion km
After this, it will take eight and a half years for this spacecraft to reach its destination. This spacecraft will travel 6.6 billion km and will reach closer to Jupiter by 2031. Common people can also watch the launching of this spacecraft through the space agency’s YouTube channel. The satellite will pass by the three moons 35 times before entering a permanent orbit around the moon Ganymede in 2034.
Europa has a harsh climate
Juice has 10 devices installed. One of these devices has been made by UK scientists. Dr Caroline Harper, head of space science at the UK Space Agency, said: ‘Juice will take us into a part of the solar system about which we know very little. Jupiter’s icy moons may contain water. Europa is the only moon of Jupiter most likely to harbor life. However, Juice will only be able to glimpse it. This is because the atmosphere around the Moon is so harsh that it would destroy spacecraft within a few months.