The Search for Hidden Oceans—and Extra-Terrestrial Life
On April 14, 2023, a sleek rocket took off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, in northeast South America. It blasted beyond Earth’s atmosphere, soaring into the darkness of space. Onboard was a brand new space probe called the , or for short. has an exciting trip ahead. It will travel through our solar system, with its sights set on reaching the planet Jupiter by July 2031. This probe will be so far from Earth—hundreds of millions of miles away—that it needs a 2.5-meter (8.2-foot) antenna to send information to us back home. It is also equipped with large solar panels to provide power. Once near Jupiter, will embark on a planned four-year mission to study the
