ESA's JUICE Probe to Target Jupiter's Moon Kallichore in 2031
The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is set to conduct a close flyby of Jupiter's moon Kallichore in October 2031, shortly after the spacecraft's arrival at the gas giant. Launched on April 14, 2023, JUICE is primarily focused on studying the Galilean moons, but mission planners see potential in exploring Jupiter's smaller, irregular moons like Kallichore.
Kallichore, with a diameter of approximately 3.8 kilometers, is characterized by its dark surface, having a geometric albedo of just 0.037. It orbits Jupiter at an average distance of 23 million kilometers, with its path ranging from 17.7 million to 30.4 million kilometers. Recent observations have significantly reduced the uncertainty in its orbital path, enhancing the feasibility of a targeted flyby.
The planned trajectory for JUICE includes passing within less than one million kilometers of Kallichore on October 7, 2031. This close approach could yield new insights into the moon's composition and history, contributing to a broader understanding of the solar system's evolution.