The spacecraft has successfully deployed its 10.6-meter-long magnetometer boom (J-MAG), about 1.7 million kilometers from Earth, which started collecting magnetic field data instantly. The initial data suggests successful implementation, with 2 sensing units on the boom determining the ambient solar wind field. ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) has successfully released its magnetometer boom (J-MAG), now actively collecting magnetic field information. J-MAG will contribute to the research study of Jupiters magnetic field and its icy moons when Juice reaches Jupiter in 2031.
The plot reveals the magnitude of the magnetic field from 2 sensing units, as indicated by the red and blue-green lines, before (flat line) and during the implementation (curving lines).
Illustration of the JUICE spacecraft at Jupiter. The spacecraft has successfully released its 10.6-meter-long magnetometer boom (J-MAG), about 1.7 million kilometers from Earth, which started gathering electromagnetic field data immediately. The preliminary information suggests effective deployment, with 2 sensing units on the boom determining the ambient solar wind field. Credit: ESA
ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) has actually successfully deployed its magnetometer boom (J-MAG), now actively gathering magnetic field data. The initial information suggests an effective deployment with the instrument quickly to get in a more comprehensive commissioning stage. Once Juice reaches Jupiter in 2031, j-mag will contribute to the research study of Jupiters magnetic field and its icy moons.
ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, has tape-recorded magnetic field information as its 10.6 m-long magnetometer boom deployed.
Juice introduced on April 14, with releases and activation of its antennas, booms, instruments, and sensing units continuous over the next months in a devoted check-out duration called the commissioning stage.
The Juice magnetometer boom (J-MAG) was deployed on April 21, when Juice was about 1.7 million km from Earth.
Information collected by J-MAG caught the minute of release itself.
This plot shows the magnitude of the magnetic field from two sensing units, as indicated by the red and blue-green lines, before (flat line) and throughout the deployment (curving lines). The two sensors are installed on the external segment of the boom and separated by about 3 m.
The plot reveals the magnitude of the electromagnetic field from two sensors, as indicated by the red and blue-green lines, prior to (flat line) and throughout the deployment (curving lines). The 2 sensing units are mounted on the outer segment of the boom and separated by about 3 m. The labels OBS and IBS indicate the data from the outboard (OBS) and inboard sensors (IBS), respectively. OBS is mounted near to the end of the 10.6 m boom.
The left side of the plot shows the field trace before the boom deployment. The sensing units are up against the side of the spacecraft and OBS is located near to two spacecraft thrusters, which are rather magnetic, describing the distinction in the 2 field magnitudes.
The plot lines change as the boom implementation occurs, starting just after 14:29:38 UT and taking approximately two seconds.
Afterwards, the 2 field magnitudes are at a similar level, trending towards zero and stable, indicating that the boom has actually released the full 10.6 m and both sensors are determining the ambient solar wind field.
The plot has been assembled using really initial calibrations. In-depth instrument commissioning will begin next week, including operation in its more delicate ranges. It will likewise see the very first switch-on of the 3rd J-MAG sensing unit that will determine the electromagnetic field magnitude.
When in the Jupiter system in 2031, J-MAG will assist characterize the worlds magnetic field and its interaction with that of giant moon Ganymede and will study the subsurface oceans of the icy moons. J-MAG is one of ten instruments that will take a look at Jupiter and its largest ocean-bearing moons Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto.
With the critical deployment of the solar arrays and the medium gain antenna following launch, the next three months will concentrate on examining and releasing out the instruments.
About Juice
After passing through space for 8 years to reach Jupiter, it will conduct extensive assessments of the enormous gas world and its trio of large, ocean-bearing moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. Juice will deeply evaluate Jupiters diverse magnetic, radiation, and plasma environment and its interaction with the moons, inspecting the Jupiter system as a prototype for gas giant systems spread throughout the universes.