Airbus was selected as the prime contractor for JUICE in 2015.
JUICE is slated to launch on one of the last two remaining Ariane 5 rockets before the debut of Ariane 6 in late 2023.
JUICE is equipped with 10 instruments, including cameras, an ice-penetrating radar, a radio-science experiment, and sensors for measuring altitude and other data to study magnetic fields and potentially ocean-bearing moons Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto.
Arianespace’s backlog currently includes 20 Airbus Defence and Space built satellites including CERES (x3), SYRACUSE 4B (COMSAT NG 2), EUTELSAT QUANTUM, METOP-SG A1, METOP-SG B1, THEOS-2, CSO 3, Pléiades Neo (x3), JUICE, Measat-3d, Biomass, EarthCARE, and CO3D (x4).
ESA selected Arianespace to launch the JUpiter ICy moon Explorer (JUICE) aboard the Ariane 64, the inaugural flight of the Ariane 6.
JUICE is expected to reach Jupiter in 2029 regardless of whether it launches on Ariane 5 or Ariane 6.
ESA wants Ariane 64 to be an option for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission but will consider launching JUICE on Ariane 64 only after a commercial Ariane 64 launch has occurred.