European Space Agency’s mission to Jupiter’s moons postponed due to bad weather
The next launch window is scheduled for April 14 at 1.14pm UK time.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The European Space Agency’s mission to Jupiter and its moons has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The six-tonne probe, named Juice (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer), was due to head towards the solar system’s biggest planet to see if its ocean-bearing moons support life.
But a lightning risk temporarily halted what would have been the agency’s first attempt to send spacecraft to orbit another planet’s moon.
Arianespace, which developed the Ariane 5 rocket carrying Juice, said on Twitter that the next attempt will take place on April 14 at 1.14pm UK time.
They said: “The Ariane 5 launch vehicle and its passenger Juice are in stable and safe condition.”
Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, tweeted: “Not what we hoped for, but this is part of the game.
“Hopefully tomorrow we have clearer skies.”
After lift-off, Juice is expected to separate from the rocket about half an hour later, and embark on a 4.1 billion-mile journey that will take more than eight years.
Juice has 10 instruments on board, which will investigate whether the gas giant’s three moons Callisto, Europa and Ganymede, can support life in its oceans.
Scientists from Imperial College London have led the development of one instrument, known as the magnetometer.
Called J-MAG, it will measure the characteristics of magnetic fields of Jupiter and Ganymede – the only moon known to produce its own magnetic field.
Engineers and mission controllers have very short launch windows to send the spacecraft on its journey.
This is because Venus and Earth need to be in the perfect position for Juice to perform a manoeuvre known as gravitational assist, where it will use the gravity of the planets to slingshot towards Jupiter.
Dr Ben Dryer, research fellow at the Open University, who was involved in the early stages of the Juice mission, said: “It is always a disappointment to see a launch delay, but really this is business as usual.
“Launch is always risky, so with such a precious payload, it makes sense to wait for perfect conditions.
“Due to the complex orbital manoeuvres required by Juice to launch it towards Jupiter while conserving as much fuel as possible, there is only a one-second launch window.
“If that launch window looks hazardous, it makes sense to postpone.
“There are one-second launch windows each day for the rest of April.”