Moving JUICE around the cleanroom
Date: 15 April 2021
Copyright: Airbus / Lightcurve Films
When it launches in 2022, ESA's JUICE – JUpiter ICy moons Explorer – will complete a unique tour of the Jupiter system, and study the planet's three potentially ocean-bearing moons: Ganymede, Europa and Callisto. The spacecraft is currently being built and tested ready for its mission at the Airbus satellite integration centre facilities in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
This all takes place in cleanroom conditions so as not to damage or contaminate the spacecraft, and every operation is well-considered – even a straightforward action like moving JUICE to a slightly different position.
As shown in this video, JUICE was recently detached, lifted by crane, and moved from its typical position within the Friedrichshafen cleanroom to a special stand able to allow modifications and access to the bottom part of the spacecraft – namely, insulation and harnessing around its main engine.