JUICE probe will fly between Earth and the Moon

As reported by the European Space Agency (ESA), this will happen on August 19. The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) probe will then be less than 7 thousand kilometers from Earth. This is a shorter distance than some satellites, and JUICE will approach the Silver Globe to within just 700 km. This is the first maneuver of this kind in history, and JUICE is the first European probe sent towards Jupiter – emphasize ESA experts.

In order to reach the largest planet in the Solar System, the probe will use a total of four so-called gravitational assists – the attraction of the planets and moons will give it additional speed and set its trajectory accordingly. The planned flyby of Earth will provide one of such assists. The moon will slightly deflect the probe's flight trajectory, which will then be able to better use the Earth's gravity. However, such an operation places special demands on the engineers. “During a typical gravitational assist, the control of the spacecraft must be very precise, but when flying near two bodies it must be flawless,” said Angela Dietz, a specialist in the work of the probe. The team of experts operating the probe is now carrying out corrective flight manoeuvres in order to obtain a perfectly matched speed and trajectory. The smallest error – explain ESA specialists – will cause the probe to pass the Jupiter system from a huge distance. – A flyby of the Moon has never been attempted before. There are risks involved, but JUICE's onboard systems have been rigorously tested and we are well prepared, Angela Dietz stressed. “Due to the low altitude, large changes in speed and high navigation requirements, the flight control team will be ready to respond immediately. This week we are conducting a training campaign to develop and refine procedures to return the craft to the correct trajectory as quickly as possible if we encounter any problems,” she added.

The Earth-Moon flyby will be significant for another reason besides accelerating and directing the probe. The instruments placed on it are designed to study Jupiter and its moons, and during the unusual maneuver, ESA engineers will be able to test them on our planet and its natural satellite. It is worth recalling that Polish specialists participated in the construction of some of the instruments – from the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Astronika and SENER Polska.