Introduction
Space missions are meticulously planned, with precise routes designed based on years of research. However, sometimes unexpected discoveries lead to a change in direction. This was the case during NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn in 2005 when scientist Michele Dougherty requested a closer look at one of Saturn’s moons, Enceladus. What the probe observed was remarkable: massive plumes of water vapor erupting from cracks at the moon’s south pole.
The JUICE Mission
Building on the success of Cassini, Michele Dougherty, now the principal investigator on the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), is excited about the potential for further extraordinary discoveries. The JUICE mission, launched in April, aims to investigate whether Jupiter’s moons have the necessary conditions to support life.
Focusing on Key Moons
Jupiter has a vast number of moons, but the JUICE mission concentrates on three of the largest ones. These include Europa, Ganymede (the largest moon in the solar system), and Callisto. The spacecraft will fly by these moons before entering orbit around Ganymede.
Interview with Michele Dougherty
In an interview with Science Spotlight, Dougherty discusses the importance of being open to unexpected secrets beneath the icy exteriors of these moons and how she plans to uncover them.
Unraveling the Mysteries
Michele Dougherty explains that the JUICE mission aims to investigate the habitability of Jupiter’s moons by studying their composition, geology, magnetic fields, and potential for liquid water oceans. By examining the plumes of water vapor erupting from Enceladus, researchers hope to gather insights into the possibility of life in these icy environments.
