Raum probe Juice inspires Göttingen scientist at the rise

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The spacecraft "Juice" is currently designing space research and recently has two flights past the earth and the moon behind it. Such maneuvers are not only impressive, but also crucial for the further course of the mission, which applies to the solar system research goal to explore the planet Jupiter.

The team of the Göttingen Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) provides special excitement. The scientists are Heavily Involved in two of the ten measuring instruments that are on board the probe. These instrument systems are essential to collect valuable data in the course of the mission.

a unique double descent

The unique double beforehand, which takes place during these weeks, offers an excellent opportunity to carry out experimental measurements under conditions that come close to the circumstances in the Jupiter system. In order to optimally use this important moment, the scientific-technical teams have been preparing intensively for months. During this phase, the measuring instruments were already active several times and provided the first valuable results.

dr. Markus Fränz, a scientist at the MPS, emphasizes the importance of these tests. "They give us a first impression of whether the instrument works as expected and how it proves itself under real space conditions," he explains. The double beforehand also enables a more precise check of the instruments that work under the specific conditions of close celestial bodies.

The "Submillimetre Wave Instrument" (SWI), led by the MPS, and the "Particle Environment Package" (PEP), for which the MPS provides one of six sensors, are among the key components of the mission. Information from these instruments will support the scientists in their analyzes.

Requirements for the visit to Jupiter

The actual plan stipulates that "Juice" enters the orbit around Jupiter in 2031. To implement this, the spatial probe uses a sophisticated technology called "Swing-by". In these maneuvers, the attraction of sky bodies, such as the moon and earth, is used to win or brake speed. "Juice" will fly past various planets several times during your trip, including Venus.

In order to guarantee that the arrival in the Jupiter system run smoothly, the speed of the probe must be precisely set. This entirety of course changes will amount to an artificial choreography that is intended to ensure that the probe ultimately dipped into the desired orbit.

The passes of "Juice" not only offer a microscopic view of the scientific instruments, but are also an important element of the entire mission plan. This committed approach of the scientists from Göttingen is an example of how modern space missions gain the unknown exploration and new knowledge about our solar system.

The way to the future of space exploration

It remains to be seen which further surprises and discoveries “Juice” have in store during their eight -year trip. The final destination Ganymed, the largest moon of Jupiter, where the 2035 mission is to find its crowning glory, is still a long way off. But the current phase of the mission already marks significant progress on the long way to explore the Jupiter system. Preparations and current tests are an essential part of deciphering the many secrets of the universe.

space travel has made remarkable progress in recent decades, especially with regard to scientific missions on other planets. The "Juice" mission is not only technologically remarkable, but also fundamentally for understanding the Jupiter system and its moons.

Historically, similar missions have provided important data and insights that have expanded our knowledge of the solar system. Examples of this are the voyager missions that started in the 1970s and brought impressive images and data back by Jupiter and his moons. These famous flights were able to make new discoveries, such as the dynamic atmosphere of the Jupiter and the geological properties of its moon surfaces, and thus laid the foundation for many subsequent missions, including "Juice".

Scientific importance of the Juice mission

The "Juice" mission is considered particularly important because it focuses on examining the ice and water moons of Jupiter. These moons, especially Europe and Ganymeded, are of great interest in the search for extraterrestrial life, since they could accommodate liquid water under their ice crust.

The goal of the mission is to collect comprehensive data about the atmosphere, the surface and the geological properties of this moons. The findings could answer fundamental questions about the development of planetary systems and the possibility of life forms outside the earth.

Technical details and challenges

Technically speaking, the "Juice" mission contains several challenges. The instruments not only have to work in space, but also withstand extreme conditions. This includes temperatures that can vary greatly and the radiation near Jupiter. Therefore, the instruments and the entire spaceship technology were specifically developed and tested in such a way that they are operational under these conditions. Findings from previous missions, such as the European spatial probes and the US MARS ROVER missions, have made a decisive contribution to the technical implementation.

In addition, the course and speed corrections that are required for a few weeks are an essential part of the mission to adhere to the precise schedules for the past flights. This requires close cooperation between various international research organizations and space authorities, which underlines globality and community spirit of current space research.