JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer: this Stands for the Exploration of Potential Water Oceans

This is a space mission that investigates Jupiter’s icy moons, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, for the presence of water oceans. The probe launched in April 2023 and will approach Jupiter in 2031. Technische Universität Braunschweig contributes with specially developed sensors for a fluxgate magnetometer, which can determine the presence of water on the moons using magnetic fields. Dr. Plaschke explains the measurement procedure as follows: “The moons move within Jupiter’s magnetosphere. As the moons move, they will also experience changing magnetic fields. This reveals a principle that we also observe, for example, in a bicycle generator: We have, so to speak, an electrical conductor, probably the ocean, which is now moving within a magnetic field, and this induces electric currents within it. These magnetic currents then induce secondary magnetic fields. If we then fly past these magnetic fields with our probe, we can measure both magnetic fields.”

Water in Space?

Various factors are required for a habitable world. Water is as central as it is rare. It has only been proven on Earth. Further deposits in the solar system would provide insights into the probability of extraterrestrial life. We are still almost light-years away from the answer to this question. Preparations for such a large international mission may proceed somewhat faster, but they are still enormous: “As a scientist, one cannot assume that one can accompany such a mission from start to finish.”

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