Juice takes the heat
Date: Fri, Jul 30, 2021 | 06:00 - 07:40 GMT | 08:00 - 09:40 CEST
Replay: Sat, Jul 31, 2021 | 10:30 - 11:10 GMT | 12:30 - 13:10 CEST
Type: ESA TV Exchange
JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) has successfully completed rigorous thermal tests simulating the extreme coldness of space and the warmth of the Sun at ESA’s ESTEC facility in The Netherlands.
The spacecraft underwent over a month of testing and monitoring 24/7 at Europe’s largest satellite test centre. ESTEC’s Large Space Simulator recreated the vacuum of space and is able to simulate both cold Space environment and intense energy flux from the Sun, leading to observed temperatures ranging from 250 degrees to minus 180 degrees Celsius. These tests will ensure that the spacecraft can protect its equipment and 10 onboard instruments during its journey.
JUICE will launch in 2022 on its way to our Solar System’s largest planet. On arrival it will spend over four years studying Jupiter’s atmosphere, magnetosphere and its icy moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede - and also investigate whether the moons’ sub-surface oceans are habitable for life.
This film contains interviews with Pauline Ravily – Airbus Thermal Architect; Eduardo Bernar - European Test Services, ESA; and JUICE Project Scientist, Olivier Witasse.
More information at: https://sci.esa.int/web/juice
Preview and download:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2021/07/Juice_takes_the_heat2