of the European Space Agency. (ESA) JUICE The spacecraft took a series of photos shortly after embarking on its 8-year journey to Jupiter. At the center of the photos is the Earth, where JUICE is rapidly moving away.
The Independent in Turkish to have The spacecraft, which the agency launched with the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guyana Space Center in French Guiana on April 14, recorded its first images a few hours after it started its journey.
The images also include parts of the spacecraft and solar panels. In the statement from ESA, it was stated that these photos were taken to test the surveillance cameras of the spacecraft. Surveillance cameras provide snapshots of 1024 by 1024 pixels.
The first observation camera is located at the front of the spacecraft, looking at the solar panels. The second camera was placed on the fuselage to observe the deployment process of the vehicle’s 16-metre-long Icy Moons Radar.
Raw images recorded by JUICE were processed by ESA researchers (ESA)
After the spacecraft completes its long journey, it will use a scientific camera to record high-resolution images of the Jupiter system. The spacecraft, which is expected to arrive in July 2031, will explore the gas giant’s surroundings.
It will also study Jupiter’s three ocean-bearing moons, Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, to try to determine if conditions have at least a chance to favor simple microbial organisms.
The oceans on these moons are covered by a deep layer of ice. But some researchers believe that life could be discovered beneath the icy surface.
The JUICE mission could also clear important questions about the search for extraterrestrial life in the Solar System.
