ESA's JUICE Probe to Perform Historic Earth-Moon Slingshot Maneuver
The spacecraft will use gravity assists from both Earth and the Moon to set course for a detailed study of Jupiter's icy moons by 2031.
- JUICE will fly past the Moon on August 19 and Earth on August 20 for a gravity boost.
- This maneuver is the first-ever double gravity assist using both the Earth and the Moon.
- The probe aims to study Jupiter's moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa for potential extraterrestrial life.
- The mission requires precise calculations to avoid the spacecraft burning up in Earth's atmosphere.
- Skywatchers in Southeast Asia may glimpse the spacecraft during its closest approach to Earth.