PRIDE: Near-field VLBI observations for Planetary Probes

Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) is a multi-purpose experimental technique aimed at enhancing the science return of planetary missions. It is based on, the near-field phase-referencing VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) and radial Doppler measurements. It has been developed initially by the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE) for tracking the ESA’s Huygens Probe during its descent in the atmosphere of Titan in 2005 and from that point forward actualized for various planetary science missions. It was selected by ESA as one of the eleven experiments of the ESA’s L-class JUpiter ICy moons Explorer mission (JUICE) mission, planned for launch in 2022.