The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
When it launches in 2022, ESA’s Juice – JUpiter ICy moons Explorer – will complete a unique tour of the Jupiter system, and study the planet’s three potentially ocean-bearing moons: Ganymede, Europa and Callisto. The spacecraft is currently being built and tested ready for its mission at the Airbus satellite integration centre facilities in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
This all takes place in cleanroom conditions so as not to damage or contaminate the spacecraft, and every operation is well-considered – even a straightforward action like moving Juice to a slightly different position.
As shown in this video, Juice was recently detached, lifted by crane, and moved from its typical position within the Friedrichshafen cleanroom to a special stand able to allow modifications and access to the bottom part of the spacecraft – namely, insulation and harnessing around its main engine.