Jupiter-bound spacecraft to attempt daring double flyby this week
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for one of the most daring operations ever undertaken in interplanetary flight. On Wednesday, the agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is set to execute the first-ever double gravity-assist maneuver, a high-stakes procedure essential for its €1.6 billion mission to reach Jupiter by July 2031. This complex maneuver involves a flyby of both Earth and the Moon, requiring exceptionally precise navigation.
JUICE's mission: A search for life on Jupiter's moons
The primary objective of JUICE is to investigate potential signs of life on two of Jupiter's moons, Europa and Ganymede. These moons are known for their ice-covered oceans. Ignacio Tanco, JUICE's spacecraft operations manager, compared the upcoming maneuver to "passing through a very narrow corridor, very quickly: pushing the accelerator to the maximum when the margin at the side of the road is just millimeters."
A celestial dance of precision and timing
JUICE's journey will commence on Wednesday with a close approach to the Moon and Earth. The spacecraft will use their gravitational fields to change its speed and direction, performing a slingshot motion over both bodies into the inner solar system. This intricate interplanetary dance necessitates precise speed, timing, and direction for each encounter. Without such accuracy, exploring more distant planets in our solar system would be impossible, according to ESA.
Gravity-assist approach: A fuel-efficient strategy for space exploration
A direct flight to Jupiter would require carrying 60,000kg of propellant, an impractical load, and additional fuel for deceleration upon arrival. The gravity-assist approach is a more fuel-efficient strategy. After its initial maneuvers this week, JUICE has a flyby of Venus planned for next year and two more Earth slingshots in 2026 and 2029 before it finally sets off for Jupiter.
NASA to follow ESA's lead with Europa Clipper mission
Later this year, NASA plans to use the same gravity-assist approach for its Jovian moon mission, Europa Clipper. Despite launching over a year after JUICE, the Europa Clipper is expected to reach Jupiter in 2030. The success of these missions heavily depends on how well space engineers handle their flyby encounters. The more accurately these maneuvers are executed, the less fuel will be needed for future course corrections and exploration of Jupiter and its satellites.
