Europe’s JUICE Jupiter probe successfully completes historic flyby of the moon
On August 19, 2024, the European spacecraft JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) achieved a remarkable milestone in space exploration by performing a gravity-assist flyby of the moon. The probe came within 465 miles (750 kilometers) of the lunar surface and captured images of this important encounter. This maneuver is the first part of an unprecedented dual gravity-assist mission, with the second part taking place when JUICE flies by Earth.
Historic Flyby Captured in Photos
The JUICE spacecraftLaunched in April 2023, the mission is to study Jupiter and its major moons: Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. These moons are believed to harbor subsurface oceans, making them prime targets for exploration. The flyby of the moon was crucial to JUICE’s orbit and helped refine its path toward a future encounter with Venus in 2025. This series of maneuvers will ultimately put the probe on a course toward Jupiter, with a planned arrival in July 2031.
Photo credit: ESA
The spacecraft’s cameras, primarily designed to monitor the deployment of its solar panels and science instruments, provided raw images of the moon. These images were shared live by the European Space Agency (ESA), showing JUICE’s close approach and the moon’s rugged terrain.
Strategic maneuver for efficient travel
JUICE’s flybys are a strategic choice to save time and fuel. The gravity assist of the Moon and Earth, followed by the flyby of Venus, will optimize the spacecraft’s journey to Jupiter. According to Ignacio Tanco, JUICE spacecraft operations manager, this approach effectively “slows down” the spacecraft, reducing the amount of fuel needed compared to traditional engine burns.
During its Earth flyby, JUICE will come within about 4,250 miles (6,840 kilometers) of our planet. While there will be no live feed for this encounter due to communications limitations, amateur astronomers in regions such as Alaska will be able to catch a glimpse of the probe through a telescope. The successful execution of these maneuvers underscores Europe’s growing capabilities in space exploration and highlights the intricate planning behind interplanetary missions.
