The path to Jupiter’s moons, which scientists believe could harbor conditions friendly for sustaining life, is long and paved with Earth flybys.
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) in April 2023, to focus on the behemoth’s two largest moons, Ganymede and Callisto. Juice will also gather scads of data about Jupiter itself and the smaller moon Europa, which scientists consider one of the most promising places to look for life in the solar system.