JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE): An ESA mission to orbit Ganymede and to characterise the Jupiter system
- Research areas:
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
-
- Olivier Grasset
- M. K. Dougherty
- A. Coustenis
- E. J. Bunce
- C. Erd
- D. Titov
- M. Blanc
- A. Coates
- P. Drossart
- L. N. Fletcher
- H. Hussmann
- R. Jaumann
- N. Krupp
- J. -P. Lebreton
- O. Prieto-Ballesteros
- P. Tortora
- F. Tosi
- T. Van Hoolst
- Journal:
- PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
- Volume:
- 78
- Pages:
- 1-21
- Month:
- April
- ISSN:
- 0032-0633
- BibTex:
- Abstract:
- Past exploration of Jupiter's diverse satellite system has forever
changed our understanding of the unique environments to be found around
gas giants, both in our solar system and beyond. The detailed
investigation of three of Jupiter's Galilean satellites (Ganymede,
Europa, and Callisto), which are believed to harbour subsurface water
oceans, is central to elucidating the conditions for habitability of icy
worlds in planetary systems in general. The study of the Jupiter system
and the possible existence of habitable environments offer the best
opportunity for understanding the origins and formation of the gas
giants and their satellite systems. The Jupiter ICy moons Explorer
(JUICE) mission, selected by ESA in May 2012 to be the first large
mission within the Cosmic Vision Program 2015-2025, will perform
detailed investigations of Jupiter and its system in all their
inter-relations and complexity with particular emphasis on Ganymede as a
planetary body and potential habitat. The investigations of the
neighbouring moons, Europa and Callisto, will complete a comparative
picture of the Galilean moons and their potential habitability. Here we
describe the scientific motivation for this exciting new European-led
exploration of the Jupiter system in the context of our current
knowledge and future aspirations for exploration, and the paradigm it
will bring in the study of giant (exo) planets in general. (C) 2012
Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
