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Juno Reveals Europa's Ice Thickness, Guides Future Missions

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

NASA's Juno spacecraft collected data on Jupiter's moon Europa during a flyby on September 29, 2022.
The Microwave Radiometer measured Europa's ice shell thickness at about 18 miles (29 kilometers).
The measurement suggests oxygen and nutrients reach the subsurface ocean more slowly.
Nature Astronomy published the findings and will inform future missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper and ESA's Juice, set to arrive in the Jovian system in the coming years.

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Story summary

NASA's Juno spacecraft collected data on Jupiter's moon Europa during a flyby on September 29, 2022.
The Microwave Radiometer measured Europa's ice shell thickness at about 18 miles (29 kilometers).
The measurement suggests oxygen and nutrients reach the subsurface ocean more slowly.
Nature Astronomy published the findings and will inform future missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper and ESA's Juice, set to arrive in the Jovian system in the coming years.