Project Juice.

[Greymouser]

Quite surprised there is no thread on this yet, unless I missed it! Fascinating mission, though we will need patience.

The launch of the mission was postponed today, but there was quite a lot of coverage on BBC news. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65254502

More from ESA itself: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice

The live launch will be from here hopefully tomorrow:

NASA will be sending a mission there next year it seems, with an expected mission to send a lander possible in the future.

[DaveS]

Yes, I was following the ESA livestream until they scrubbed.

The thing to take away from this is the urgent need for more powerful engines.

[DaveS]

 

 

[DaveS]

The launch went OK, though there was a nail-biting delay until telemetry was established.

[carastro]

Hmmm missed it, that's what happens when things get delayed.

 

[Mr Spock]

Nice to have a successful launch. It's an exciting project.

[Greymouser]

Got to say, that even though they were saying everything was good, there was a lot of nerves on show, when it didn't communicate when they said it would. The relief when it did was obvious!

This whole mission represents humanity at it's best. Just a shame there is too much negative. Just what would we be capable of if we put our collective mind to it?

[cajen2]

Why isn't it called "JIMEM"? 😛

[Mr Spock]

I suppose they thought Juice sounded better - JUpiter ICy moons Explorer 

[Macavity]

On 13/04/2023 at 21:41, Greymouser said:

Quite surprised there is no thread on this yet, unless I missed it! Fascinating mission, though we will need patience.

Dix... Neuf... Huit... ... Deux... Un... "Top"! Just sits there for a bit?!? 😛
SHE was clearly only going in her own time! [teasing] 😅
Shame it takes so long... I might be dead etc. 🙄

Edited April 16, 2023 by Macavity

[StargazerUK]

Now just have to wait 7 years for it to get there. I expect we will see some magnificent pictures when it does get there

[Gfamily]

As people may have heard, the deployment of the Radar for Icy Moons Exploration (RIME) antenna had been incomplete because a pin hadn't properly been released. RIME is one of the key instruments for Juice, as it will allow radar investigation of the sub surface to a depth of up to 9km.

Fortunately, after rotating the craft to allow sunlight to fall on the area with the stuck pin, and by firing a non explosive actuator, they were able to release the pin, and the 16m long antenna arm was released. 

ETA https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice/Juice_s_RIME_antenna_breaks_free

 

Edited May 14, 2023 by Gfamily