JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is an interplanetary spacecraft in development by the European Space Agency with Airbus Defence and Space as the main contractor. The mission is being developed to visit the Jovian system and is focused on studying three of Jupiter's Galilean moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa (excluding the more volcanically active Io) all of which are thought to have significant bodies of liquid water beneath their surfaces, making them potentially habitable environments. The spacecraft is set for launch in 2023 and would reach Jupiter in October 2029 after five gravity assists and 88 months of travel. By September 2032 the spacecraft will enter orbit around Ganymede for its close up science mission and become the first spacecraft to orbit a moon other than the moon of Earth. The selection of this mission for the L1 launch slot of ESA's Cosmic Vision science programme was announced on 2 May 2012. Its period of operations will overlap with NASA's Europa Clipper mission, launching in 2024.