Arianespace launches the JUICE Jupiter probe on an Ariane 5 rocket on April 14, 2023. Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace launched the JUICE space probe for the European Space Agency (ESA) Friday morning from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 rocket, kicking off Europe’s first mission to Jupiter. This was the second-to-last mission for the heavy-lift Ariane 5. 

JUICE is now en route to Jupiter. It is due to arrive in 2031 after a series of gravity slingshots from Venus and Earth to propel it on its way. The spacecraft will spend at least three years observing Jupiter’s moons: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto as potential habitats for life. Airbus Defence and Space built the spacecraft for ESA, and ArianeGroup’s Orbital Propulsion teams built its propulsion system. 

“Arianespace is honored to have been entrusted with this launch, the first European mission to Jupiter, and to play a part in expanding our understanding of the solar system and the necessary conditions for the emergence of life. In preparing for this mission, we have worked hand in hand with ESA, Airbus Defence and Space, ArianeGroup, and French space agency CNES,” commented Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël. 

This was Arianespace’s first mission of 2023.