The Juice probe went to explore the conditions of life on Jupiter's moons - Finnish research equipment technology is also included
The first Jupiter probe is launched by the European Space Agency (ESA). It takes about eight years to get to Jupiter.
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or the Juice probe, focuses on the largest moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymedes and Kallisto called the Galilei moons. The Juice probe is one of ESA's most expensive and largest space probe projects.
Finnish researchers at Aalto University and the Finnish Meteorological Institute have been involved in the construction of a PEP measuring device which investigates particles that detach from the surface of the moons and that impact on them.
As of 2031, 12 probe instruments provide unique information about Jupiter and its surrounding environment, where nearly a hundred moons have been found at the moment.
During its eight-year journey, Juice will make three Earth by-flights and one Venus by-flight, which will provide good opportunities for testing measuring equipment. The valuable expedition of the Juice probe ends in 2035, when it finally hits the surface of Ganymedes.
Juice waited for the launch on Thursday 13 April at the French Guiana space centre in Kourou. Due to weather conditions, the launch was postponed by a day. Ariane 5, a probe carrier, took off on 14 April at 15.15.01 (Finnish time, 14.15.01 CET time).
Press release by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (in Finnish)
