Jupiter, here we come! #JUICE #Jupiter #exploration

Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede, is unique. In all the solar system, it’s the only one we’ve found with a magnetic field. On Earth, our magnetic field protects us from cosmic radiation and charged particles emitted by our Sun, which is handy if you’re a living creature. So… what about Ganymede? And it’s water oceans beneath an icy crust? What about other intriguing Jovian moons?

We’ll learn more soon, because the European Space Agency is about to launch the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, aka JUICE. “Soon” means, in 8 years the probe will enter orbit around Jupiter. You need patience to study the outer solar system.

The spacecraft will use flybys of Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto as it studies Jupiter and its moons. Then it will enter a highly elliptical orbit around Ganymede… The nominal mission ends after about 3 years, with a possible extension to the mission for 200 days. Either way, the mission will end with an impact on the surface of Ganymede. NASA

With ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopy; radar; laser altimeter, and more scientific instruments onboard, JUICE promises great things. Surprises seem inevitable.

I bet fiction can’t surpass reality, but yo can judge for yourself. Read my short story about a chemist onboard a ship mining Jupiter’s atmosphere: her search for life may get her entire crew killed.

It’s one of eight great scifi and fantasy tales and the eBook is free! Click here now for your choice of on-line stores and formats.

Learn how to follow the launch live on April 13th. Liftoff is scheduled from pad ELA-3 at 9:15 a.m. local time (8:15 a.m. EDT; 1215 GMT), weather permitting. Click here, or view on You Tube: