We are entering another phase akin to the “Golden era” of space.
Juice will be equipped with ten scientific instruments, including ice-penetrating radar to study the internal oceans. This use of radar is a practical first step in mapping the sub-surface oceans, paving the way for more exotic future missions involving submersible vehicles – some of which have already beenAlthough no date has been announced by aerospace company SpaceX at the time of writing, the first orbital test flight of the super-heavyis highly anticipated to occur in early 2023.
Starship is the collective name for a two-component system consisting of the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket. The rocket component will lift Starship to some 65km altitude before separating and returning to Earth in a controlled landing. The upper Starship component will then use its own engines to push itself the rest of the way to orbit.. But the upcoming flight will be the first time the whole system will be used to reach space as one.