JUICE to Attempt Groundbreaking Double Gravity Assist
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) JUICE spacecraft is poised to achieve a “double-world first” next week as it performs a daring lunar-Earth flyby. This maneuver, which involves using gravity from both the Moon and Earth, is crucial for guiding the spacecraft on its long journey to Jupiter.
Gravity Assist Technique Powers JUICE’s Journey
JUICE will utilize the gravity assist technique, a method that harnesses the gravitational pull of celestial bodies to alter its trajectory. This method is essential for spacecraft that lack the propellant or powerful rockets needed for direct travel. By swinging past Earth and Venus, JUICE will gain the energy required to reach Jupiter.
High-Stakes Flyby Requires Precise Navigation
ESA officials describe the upcoming flyby as a “daring feat,” emphasizing the precision needed to avoid veering off course. The spacecraft will pass extremely close to both the Moon and Earth between August 17 and 22, with ground stations maintaining continuous communication to ensure its successful navigation.
Complex Path to Jupiter Involves Multiple Flybys
After this initial flyby, JUICE will continue its journey with additional gravity assists, including a flyby of Venus in August 2025, followed by two more Earth flybys in 2026 and 2029. These carefully calculated maneuvers will set the spacecraft on course to reach Jupiter by 2031, a journey meticulously planned over the past two decades.
Preparing for Scientific Exploration of Jupiter’s Moons
Launched in April 2023, JUICE aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons, including the ocean beneath Ganymede’s surface. During the lunar-Earth flyby, ESA will activate the spacecraft’s ten science instruments to test their functionality and address any issues, such as the noise affecting the Radar for Icy Moon Exploration (RIME) instrument. This data will be crucial for ensuring the mission’s success when JUICE finally arrives at Jupiter.
SOURCE: Ref Image from European Space Agency
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