At the Heart of Jupiter with NASA: Juno and Europa Clipper Missions

Bound for Jupiter and its moons: with the Juno and Europa Clipper missions, NASA is continuing its exploration of the outer solar system. The goal is to trace the complete evolution of our space environment, from the birth of the planets to the emergence of conditions suitable for life.

Reconstructing the Origin of the Solar System

As the oldest planet in our Solar System, Jupiter holds most of the matter left over after the birth of the Sun. This gas giant thus preserves the initial chemical building blocks of our space environment deep within its layers.

The Role and Profile of Juno

NASA’s Juno Spacecraft
Image Credit : JPL/Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory

• Launch Context: Launched by NASA in August 2011, the Juno probe entered Jupiter’s orbit in July 2016. Its primary mission received an extension to maintain observation of the Jovian system from every angle.
• Spacecraft Design: Juno features a massive structure equipped with three solar panels arranged in a propeller shape, a first for a mission at such a distance from the Sun. At the center of the craft sits a 200 kg titanium vault. This shielding protects the flight computer and central electronics from radiation.
• Instruments and Mission: The probe is equipped with nine high-precision scientific instruments (radiometers, magnetometers, spectrometers, cameras). Thanks to this equipment, Juno peers through the gas giant’s thick clouds to map its core, measure its water content, and analyze its atmosphere. This scientific data allows researchers to turn back the clock to explain the formation of Earth and other planets.

In a 95-minute flyby, NASA’s JunoCam captured 11 images tracking Juno’s swift journey from Jupiter’s north to south pole. The sequence highlights shifting perspectives, vibrant cloud bands, and a striking southern blue vortex.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

Searching for Life Outside the Habitable Zone

For a long time, the scientific community associated the presence of life with proximity to the Sun, as only this region allows liquid water to remain on the surface. Space exploration, however, reveals other perspectives: icy worlds located far from the star also harbor immense reserves of water beneath their crusts.

The Role and Profile of Europa Clipper

An artist’s concept of NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

• Launch Context: Launched by NASA in October 2024, the Europa Clipper probe is making a long journey across the Solar System. Its arrival in the Jupiter system is planned for 2030, where it will perform dozens of close flybys of the moon Europa.
• Spacecraft Design: Europa Clipper boasts the largest structure ever built by NASA for a planetary mission. With its solar panels deployed, the probe spans the size of a basketball court. Just like Juno, heavy shielding protects its equipment against the giant planet’s extreme radiation environment.
• Instruments and Mission: The probe carries nine state-of-the-art scientific instruments (ice-penetrating radar, spectrometers, thermal cameras). Using this equipment, Europa Clipper will measure the thickness of the ice shell and analyze the composition of the surface. This scientific data will allow NASA to evaluate whether the vast ocean hidden beneath the ice combines the three key conditions for life: liquid water, essential chemical ingredients, and an energy source.

Learning to Navigate in Extreme Environments

Why Extreme Conditions?

Jupiter generates a colossal magnetic field. Its radiation belt emits high-energy particles that destroy standard electronics.

Onboard Solutions:

• On Juno: SDRAMmodules manage the temporary buffering and rapid processing of collected data.
• On Europa Clipper: DDR2 and NAND Flash modules secure system operations and safeguard scientific measurements.