ESA · Space

Juice spacecraft to use Earth for gravity assist

The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will perform a gravity assist maneuver by flying close to Earth on September 28, 2026. This maneuver is crucial for altering its speed and trajectory en route to Jupiter.

Juice launched in April 2023 and has already used a lunar-Earth and Venus flyby. The upcoming Earth flyby, passing within 8,640 km, will deflect its trajectory by about 20 degrees and increase its velocity by approximately 3.5 km/s.

This gravity assist conserves fuel, avoiding the need for a larger rocket and more propellant that a direct trajectory would require. This strategy ensures Juice has enough fuel for its primary mission objectives.

A final Earth flyby in January 2029 will set Juice on the optimal path to reach Jupiter in July 2031. Juice will then orbit Jupiter and study its icy moons.

Navigation campaigns have been ongoing since August 17 to ensure the flyby's precision. A final emergency maneuver is planned for September 28, though it is not expected to be needed.

During the flyby, Juice will experience darkness for up to 15 hours as it passes through Earth's shadow, forcing it to operate on battery power. Instrument observations will be prioritized.

Juice will also collect scientific data on Earth and the Moon between September 23 and October 3, using its instruments to calibrate for its main mission. It will also gather data in Earth's magnetotail.

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