Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is ESA's planetary science flagship for the outer solar system, designed to characterise three of Jupiter's ocean-bearing moons - Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa - and assess whether the liquid water thought to exist beneath their icy shells could harbour conditions suitable for life. After repeated flybys of Callisto and Europa, the spacecraft will settle into orbit around Ganymede for a dedicated study phase.

The mission requires an eight-year interplanetary cruise to Jupiter, using gravity assists at the Moon and Earth (August 2024) and Venus (August 2025), with further Earth flybys planned before arrival at Jupiter in July 2031.