Space probe achieves milestone fly-past of Earth and moon on mission to Jupiter
The Juice space probe has achieved the first-ever flyby past the moon and Earth, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced on Wednesday. The vessel’s final destination is Jupiter, where it should arrive in July 2031.
The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer flew closest to the moon on Monday at 23.15. On Tuesday, at 23.56, it was about 6,800km from the Earth, closer than some satellites. The purpose of the flyby was to redirect Juice’s path through space, using first the moon’s gravity and then Earth’s to adjust its speed and direction.
“The flyby went flawlessly,” said mission spokesperson Ignacio Tanco. “Everything went without a hitch and we were happy to see Juice skim past Earth so close.”
'Precise maneouvre'
Space probes often fly past Earth, as it saves energy, but Juice is the first to pass Earth and the moon at the same time. This was “a daring and precise manoeuvre”, according to the control centre in Darmstadt, Germany. The slightest mistake could take Juice off course and end the mission.
In August next year, the probe will pass Venus and in September 2026 and January 2029 it will pass Earth again. The detours are necessary because the probe is unable to fly directly from Earth to Jupiter. That would require about 60,000kg of fuel, an impossible amount according to the ESA. Even more fuel is needed to slow the craft down, so the probe can orbit Jupiter and not fly past it at full speed.
"Everything went without a hitch and we were happy to see Juice skim past Earth so close"
At launch in April 2023, Juice carried 3,000kg of fuel. “With the flyby, we will save about 100 to 150kg of fuel,” the ESA said.
Juice will travel to Ganymede, Callisto and Europa, three of Jupiter’s approximately 100 moons. Their surface is a thick crust of ice, with liquid water possibly underneath. If that is the case, life might be possible there, or have been possible there in the past. It is the third mission to Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system.
King Philippe and Prince Gabriel attended the launch in French Guiana and the Royal Observatory of Belgium is involved in four of the 10 instruments on board the craft, including tools to be used in investigating the interior of the icy moons.
The command centre for the launch of ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission, April 2023 © BELGA PHOTO POOL ERIC LALMAND
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