ESA's Juice Probe Attempts Historic Double Gravity Assist

The spacecraft will use the Moon and Earth's gravity to set course for Jupiter, aiming to explore its icy moons.

Juice will perform a first-ever lunar-Earth gravity assist maneuver on August 19-20, 2024.
The maneuver involves using the Moon's gravity to swing towards Earth, then Earth's gravity to slow down.
This complex sequence is critical for Juice to reach Jupiter with enough fuel for its mission.
The spacecraft aims to study Jupiter's moons, including Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto, for signs of life.
ESA scientists have meticulously planned the trajectory to minimize risks, but the operation remains highly challenging.