New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) has successfully completed its flyby of the moon and on Tuesday it is expected to zoom past the Earth, marking a double-first in space history.
“ESAJuice has just passed its closest point to the surface of the Moon! The spacecraft zipped by at just 750km from its surface,” ESA said in a post on X.com on Tuesday.
The spacecraft flew past the Moon at 23.30 CEST on August 19 (3:00 am IST, August 20). During the flyby, for 31 minutes communication was lost with the spacecraft as it passed behind the Moon as seen from Earth.
Communication with the JUICE probe was “restored as the spacecraft reemerged from behind the Moon”, the ESA said.
The probe also shared “raw images”, which will be published by the ESA later.
The Earth flyby is expected to take place at 23:57 CEST on August 20 (3:27 am IST, August 21).
The lunar-Earth flyby marks the beginning of JUICE’s spacecraft’s voyage from Earth to Jupiter after its launch in April 2023.
“This ‘braking’ manoeuvre will then take JUICE on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus, with JUICE finally reaching Jupiter in the year 2031,” the ESA said. This will also change JUICE’s speed and direction to alter its course through space.
Jupiter is 800 million kilometres away from Earth on average. It would be impossible to send JUICE directly to Jupiter without a massive rocket, requiring 60,000 kg of onboard propellant.
JUICE is utilising the gravity of other planets to modify its course to make sure it reaches Jupiter with the proper speed and orientation because it would require more propellant to slow down sufficiently to enter an orbit around Jupiter.
–IANS
ts/rvt/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
