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Juice probe completes first lunar flyby

Juice probe completes first lunar flyby

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Lunar Flyby

The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) probe recently completed a historic flyby of the Moon. On Monday, August 19, 2024, the spacecraft came within about 465 miles (750 kilometers) of the lunar surface. This maneuver was the first part of a unique double gravity-assist mission.

The second flyby will occur around Earth on Tuesday evening. These flybys are crucial for setting JUICE on course for another gravity-assist encounter with Venus in August 2025.

The JUICE mission, launched in April 2023, aims to study three of Jupiter’s largest moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.

Scientists believe these moons may have oceans of liquid water beneath their icy surfaces. These oceans could potentially support chemical reactions necessary for life. During the lunar flyby, JUICE used its onboard monitoring cameras to capture a series of images.

The European Space Agency shared these raw, unprocessed images with the public via a live webcast.

Lunar flyby milestone for JUICE mission

Some JUICE team members provided commentary during the webcast.

According to Ignacio Tanco, the JUICE spacecraft operations manager, the gravity assists from the Moon and Earth will save significant time and fuel for the mission. The lunar flyby was executed perfectly, and no adjustments were needed before the upcoming Earth flyby. On Tuesday, JUICE will pass within 4,250 miles (6,840 kilometers) of Earth.

The closest approach will occur over the North Pacific Ocean at 5:57 p.m. EDT (2157 GMT). Due to the locations of telemetry-receiving stations, the JUICE team won’t be able to communicate with the probe during this flyby. However, amateur astronomers in Alaska or nearby regions might be able to see the probe through a telescope.

The JUICE mission represents an important milestone in space exploration. Using gravitational assistance, it can explore distant worlds while making the most of resources and travel time. If all goes according to plan, JUICE will arrive at Jupiter in July 2031.

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Johannah Lopez

Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
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