Jupiter-Bound Juice Spacecraft to Fly by Earth for Gravity Assist
The European spacecraft needs a boost from Earth's gravity to reach the outer solar system, and will capture images during the flyby.
The Juice spacecraft, on its way to Jupiter, is set to fly by Earth on Monday to receive a gravity assist needed to reach the outer solar system, according to Scientific American.
The report notes that the spacecraft will be taking pictures during the flyby as it passes by Earth.
Gravity assists of this kind are a common technique in deep-space missions, using a planet's gravitational pull to increase a spacecraft's speed and adjust its trajectory without expending additional fuel.
Specific details on the exact timing of the flyby, the images expected to be captured, or the spacecraft's subsequent trajectory were not included in the available excerpt.
The Juice mission is designed to study Jupiter and its icy moons as part of a broader effort to understand the outer solar system.
Further detail on the mission's remaining timeline before reaching Jupiter was not available in the source material.
Sources
- Jupiter-bound spacecraft Juice to fly by Earth Monday — Scientific American
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
Related articles
NASA opens 2026-2027 middle school design challenge on new aircraft energy systems
The Fueling Flight Design Challenge asks middle school students to explore new energy systems for aircraft as air traffic grows.
NASA launches 2026-2027 high school engineering challenge on aircraft energy systems
The high school-level Fueling Flight Design Challenge asks students to design new energy systems as aviation traffic increases.
Britain's First Astronaut Opens New Space Flight Museum
Helen Sharman officially opened the John Dulcamara Space Flight Museum at Grizedale Observatory.
Report: IUB, Enablers join hands to promote data science, AI, entrepreneurship
A report from APP (Pakistan) sets out the main available details, with claims kept attributed to their sources.
Report: Robust little’ vessel begins treacherous 22,000km journey around Antarctica in the name of climate science
A report from The Guardian — World sets out the main available details, with claims kept attributed to their sources.
Report: Hurricane Nolo, a zig-zagging storm, threatens Hawaii with flooding rain
A report from NPR News sets out the main available details, with claims kept attributed to their sources.
Comments
Loading comments…