JUICE mission aims to break records with Moon-Earth flyby

The European Space Agency (ESA) is going to take a very important and unique step in its JUICE mission. This initiative is called Moon-Earth gravity assist, which will use both the Moon and Earth to help the spacecraft change speed and direction. Thus, for the first time, a spacecraft will use two different celestial bodies. This maneuver is very complex and will have a significant impact on the rest of the mission.

What is the mission of JUICE?

JUICE, whose full name is Jupiter ICy Moons Explorer, is a spacecraft designed to study the moons of Jupiter, specifically Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Execution of the flyover
This is how it will work:

• Moon encounter: On August 19, 2023, at 21:16 UTC, JUICE will slow down slightly and fly close to the Moon.
• Reaching Earth: In about 25 hours, JUICE will approach Earth, where Earth’s gravity will slow it down even more.

Strategic challenge

The technique must be executed very carefully, on time and in the right position. Even a small mistake can jeopardize the entire mission. “It’s like trying to drive a car at high speed through a narrow corridor,” said spacecraft operations director Ignacio Tanco. The mission’s main goal is to find out if life is possible on one of Jupiter’s icy moons. Dr. Oliver Vitas highlighted that this is the most important question the mission is trying to answer.

Facilitation of flyovers

The fuel saved during the Lunar-Earth Gravitational Assist (LEGA) is crucial for future JUICE operations. It will allow the spacecraft to fly near Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons, at an altitude of about 200 kilometers (120 miles) inside Jupiter’s surface to take detailed pictures and measurements. The flyby will also give the team a chance to test the spacecraft’s instruments in space to make sure it is working properly before JUICE begins a detailed study of Ganymede and other moons.

Information about the JUICE mission

• The JUICE mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to explore Jupiter’s moons, specifically Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
• The mission will launch in April 2023 and take eight years to reach Jupiter.
• The spacecraft carries ten scientific instruments to study the icy lunar surface and possible underground oceans.
• Their findings could help us understand whether life could exist outside Earth.
• JUICE will also study Jupiter’s magnetic field and atmosphere, providing important data for planetary science.

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