The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) probe is currently en route to Jupiter with a planned arrival in 2031. While the spacecraft's primary mission focuses on Jupiter's three major icy moons—Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto—the mission will also conduct extensive observations of the gas giant's remaining 94 moons.
JUICE's instruments will map Ganymede's magnetic field as part of its core objectives, but the spacecraft's capabilities extend far beyond these primary targets. The mission is designed to maximize scientific return by studying Jupiter's complete moon system during its operational period.
The spacecraft is currently on its extended journey to the outer solar system, with mission planners preparing for the 2031 Jupiter arrival. This timeline allows for comprehensive mission planning to optimize observations across the entire Jovian system.
A recent paper published in Space Science Reviews by Tilmann Denk of DLR, Germany's space research association, and co-authors details the significant "bonus science" potential from studying Jupiter's minor moons. This secondary research could provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Jupiter system beyond the headline-grabbing icy moons.
The JUICE mission represents a major investment in outer solar system exploration, with the extended observation campaign potentially yielding discoveries across dozens of previously understudied celestial bodies in Jupiter's gravitational domain.