- Lunar and Earth Encounter by Orbiting Spacecraft
The European Space Agency (ESA) has reported that a satellite, named "Juice," completed its first close pass around both the Moon and Earth in approximately a day's time. During this flyby, "Juice" maintained an altitude of approximately 6,840 kilometers over Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean, capturing images with its onboard cameras and collecting scientific data using eight of its ten instruments. This event was confirmed by the ESA on Wednesday.
Gravity Assist
The primary objective of this flyby, as stated by the ESA, was to manipulate "Juice'"s trajectory in space by making use of both the Moon's and Earth's gravitational forces to modify the spacecraft's speed and direction. Prior to reaching Earth, "Juice" passed by the Moon at an altitude of around 750 kilometers. The spacecraft is now en route to the inner solar system, with plans to examine Venus.
Benefits of the Flyby
The maneuver managed to conserve around 100 to 150 kilograms of fuel for the mission, allowing it to approach Jupiter's moon Ganymede more closely than expected. Additionally, Plum suggested that the mission could potentially be elongated as a result. "The precise timing and location of this double flyby provide us with an excellent opportunity to study the performance of the 'Juice' instruments in detail," explained operations scientist Claire Vallat.
Complex Task
The ESA characterized the "Juice" (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) flyby as an arduous challenge that no other space mission has undertaken. Experts were concerned that even the slightest error could cause "Juice" to veer off course, ultimately bringing an end to the mission.
In 2031, it is estimated that "Juice" will reach Jupiter, where it will conduct a thorough investigation of Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede, the gas giant's moons. Scientists speculate that there may be water situated beneath a kilometer-thick ice crust on these moons, as well as possible conditions suitable for life. The ESA anticipates that the mission at Jupiter will last from 2031 to 2035.
During this mission, "Juice" captured valuable data and images over South East Asia, contributing to broader scientific understanding of the region's atmospheric and geographical characteristics. Subsequently, the ESA plans to utilize the accumulated knowledge from this flyby to enhance its future space exploration initiatives in South East Asia.
