First ultraviolet data of the Milky Way galaxy obtained by Jupiter-bound JUICE spacecraft

“On June 20, we opened the UVS aperture door to collect UV light from space for the first time. Soon after, we observed a swath of the sky to verify the instrument was performing well,” said Dr. Randy Gladstone, JUICE-UVS principal investigator, in an official release.

This UVS instrument is smaller than a microwave oven, weighs more than 40 pounds, and requires only 7.5 watts of electricity. 

Despite its modest size, it is strong enough to capture data on molecules present in Jupiter's moons' atmospheres after it enters the orbit. 

The UVS has been developed to obtain close-up views of the Galilean moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. All these icy moons are potential candidates for searching for liquid water beyond Earth. 

“UVS will record ultraviolet light emitted, transmitted, and reflected by these bodies, revealing the composition of their surfaces and tenuous atmospheres and how they interact with Jupiter and its giant magnetosphere,” added the statement. 

A similar instrument will fly onboard Europa Clipper

The exploration of Jupiter and its moons is projected to gain pace in the next years since another similar equipment is in the works. 

SwRI also plans to deploy Europa-UVS, a similar sort of instrument that will be a payload onboard NASA's Europa Clipper in 2024. The mission will look at the habitability of Jupiter's moon Europa, which may have a liquid ocean under its frozen surface. 

This spacecraft is expected to travel a considerably more "direct route" to Jupiter and reach within 15 months after the launch. On the other hand, JUICE is expected to arrive in the Jovian system around 2031. 

“Having two UVS instruments making measurements in the Jupiter system at roughly the same time will offer exciting complementary science possibilities,” said Dr. Kurt Retherford, principal investigator of Europa-UVS and deputy PI for JUICE-UVS.

Total of 11 instruments onboard JUICE 

Launched on 14 April 2023, the JUICE mission will make a detailed observation of Jupiter and its potentially habitable moons. The spacecraft will also conduct multiple close flybys of the planet and its moon. 

UVS is one of 11 scientific instruments on the JUICE spacecraft. These specialized instruments are developed to acquire a wide range of data from the Jovian system like never before.

Throughout its billion-mile trip, the spacecraft mission crew will activate numerous pieces of equipment to collect crucial cosmic data about certain celestial objects. 

During this first stage of the voyage, JUICE has been busy deploying and activating its antennae, sensors, and instruments to ensure their proper functioning.