ESA’s historic mission to explore the moons of Jupiter – and orbit the largest moon in the solar system, Ganymede – is on its way today, as its eight-year voyage to the giant planet begins. At 2:14 pm CEST (12:14 GMT) on the 14th of April, the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (Juice) robotic probe lifted off from Europe’s Guiana Space Center at Kourou, French Guiana atop an Ariane 5 rocket.

After liftoff, the first stage of the Ariane 5 burned for 27 minutes before the separation of the upper stage, and at the 36-minute mark the first signals from the uncrewed probe were received. One hour and 30 minutes after launch, the giant solar array that will power Juice during its mission was fully deployed.

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According to ESA, Juice will have a busy two and a half weeks as it deploys its collection of instrument booms and antennas. This will be followed by an intense shakedown as the systems are inspected as part of the commissioning period.

Read more: New Atlas