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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.
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