The Juice space probe managed to pass between Moon and Earthin a complex maneuver to gain momentum and launch towards Jupiter. This was confirmed by the European Space Agency (ESA)in charge of developing the artifact.
Juice was launched into space in April of this year with the aim of reaching Venusdestination that is expected to arrive in 2025. Then, he will return to Earth before heading to his final goal, Jupiterin July 2031.
The impressive maneuver of the Juice space probe
The operation that Juice carried out consisted of passing near a celestial body to take advantage of its gravitational attractiona natural force that allows the trajectory of the spacecraft to be diverted and its speed modified by accelerating or braking. The probe touched the Moon on August 19, to take momentum towards Venus.
The European spacecraft had to carry out this complex maneuver because the Ariane 5 rocket was not powerful enough to propel the probe directly to its final destination. Jupiterlocated about 800 million kilometers from Earth.
With this change of direction, Juice is expected to reach Venus in 2025. It will then return to Earth for two more flybys – in 2026 and 2019 – before finally reach Jupiter in July 2031.
In this way, the probe will allow us to observe its icy moons, Europa, Gaminedes and Callistoin search of environments conducive to the appearance of extraterrestrial life. The operation also allowed testing of the probe’s instruments that will be used to observe Jupiter’s moons.
SpaceX will carry out the first private space walk
SpaceXa space exploration company run by Elon Muskscheduled the launch of the Polaris Dawn mission for him next August 26. It will have various objectives, among which are try out a state-of-the-art space suit and achieve the first private spacewalk in history.
The billionaire Jared Isaacmanwho self-financed a mission to orbit the Earth in 2021, will be chosen to carry out this operation. Additionally, aboard the aircraft will also be former US Air Force pilot, Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Anna Menonas medical officer, and Sarah Gillisas a flight mission specialist.
representation-1 (1).jpg
@PolarisProgram /X
For the mission, the astronauts will use the new EVA spacesuits from SpaceX. Furthermore, thanks to the boost from the Falcon 9 rocket, the operation hopes to achieve highest Earth orbit ever reached: the astronauts will be at a distance of more than three times higher than the International Space Stationthe largest achieved in more than half a century since the Apollo program.
Among other goals, the Polaris crew intends to test laser-based satellite communication, which will use optical links between the Dragon spacecraft and Starlink satellites. Lastly, there will also be almost 40 critical scientific research experiments, with the goal of advancing the knowledge of human health both on Earth and during future long duration space flights.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
