What is Happening with Juice's Flyby?

ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) is set to perform a groundbreaking maneuver on 19-20 August 2024. This will be the first-ever lunar-Earth flyby and the first-ever double gravity assist maneuver. These maneuvers will adjust Juice’s speed and direction, setting it on course for its journey to Jupiter via Venus.

Why Does Juice Need a Lunar-Earth Flyby?

Jupiter is approximately 800 million kilometers away from Earth. To reach the giant planet without carrying an impossible amount of propellant, Juice will use gravity assists. This intricate and carefully planned route, devised over the last 20 years, will ensure Juice arrives at Jupiter with the correct speed and direction.

How Will the Flyby Be Executed?

Mission operators have meticulously adjusted Juice’s trajectory to ensure precise timing and speed as it flies past the Moon and then Earth. This requires real-time pinpoint accuracy in navigation, with continuous contact with ground stations from 17-22 August to make any necessary adjustments.

What Science Opportunities Does the Flyby Provide?

In addition to its navigational objectives, the lunar-Earth flyby allows Juice’s ten science instruments to collect data from an actual surface in space for the first time. This is especially crucial for the Radar for Icy Moon Exploration (RIME) instrument, which will use this opportunity to address electronic noise issues.

How Can You Follow Juice's Flyby?

Observers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean might see Juice pass overhead with the aid of binoculars or a telescope. Juice’s onboard cameras will capture photos during the flyby, which will be shared via social media and ESA’s Rocket Science blog.

Where is Juice Headed After the Flyby?

Following the lunar-Earth flyby, Juice will continue its journey with a flyby of Venus in August 2025. Subsequent energy boosts from Venus and Earth will propel Juice towards Jupiter, where it will arrive to study the planet and its icy moons.

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