NASA's Lucy Spacecraft Executes Critical Gravity Assist Maneuver

NASA's Lucy spacecraft has pulled off an incredible feat, executing a critical gravity assist maneuver on December 12, 2024, just 220 miles (360 kilometers) above Earth's surface. This thrilling close flyby happened at 11:15 p.m. EST, setting Lucy on a new trajectory through the asteroid belt towards the elusive Jupiter Trojan asteroids—celestial bodies that no spacecraft has ever explored before!

Milestone Achievements for Lucy

This monumental maneuver marks Lucy's second gravity assist from Earth in its daring 12-year mission. Three years in, the spacecraft is on track after successfully completing its first Earth gravity boost on October 16, 2022. That earlier maneuver shifted Lucy from a one-year orbit to a two-year orbit, enabling it to prepare for encounters with the intriguing asteroid Dinkinesh and its satellite, Selam. Now, with this new boost, Lucy has accelerated into a six-year orbit, aiming for its first encounter with a Trojan asteroid in 2027, following a scheduled flyby of the main belt asteroid Donaldjohanson in 2025.

A Thrilling Close Flyby

As Lucy approached Earth from the Sun's direction, it became invisible to observers when it entered Earth's shadow at 6:14 p.m. HST. However, those lucky enough to be in Hawaii might have caught a glimpse of the spacecraft shortly after sunset. Traveling at a breathtaking speed of over 33,000 miles per hour (14.8 kilometers per second), Lucy zipped across the continental U.S. and re-emerged from Earth's shadow at 11:34 p.m. EST. Observers in western Africa and eastern South America then had the chance to see the spacecraft glow as sunlight reflected off its large solar panels, though it may have been more challenging to spot in the eastern U.S. due to the orientation of the panels.

Safety Precautions by NASA

NASA took rigorous precautions to ensure Lucy's safety during this low-altitude pass beneath the International Space Station and through Earth's busy orbital environment. A comprehensive contingency plan was in place, allowing for a minor trajectory correction if needed, just 12 hours before the closest approach to avoid any potential collisions with satellites or space debris.

Increased Velocity and Future Missions

The close encounter not only marks a significant milestone for Lucy but also increased its velocity relative to the Sun by over 16,000 miles per hour (7.31 kilometers per second). This boost allows the spacecraft to continue its quest through the asteroid belt unimpeded. Notably, during Lucy's first gravity assist in 2022, it captured stunning images of Earth and the Moon for calibration, but this time, no imaging was performed as calibrations were no longer necessary.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Encounters

Looking ahead, Lucy's next significant milestone is its upcoming encounter with the main belt asteroid Donaldjohanson, slated for April 20, 2025. The excitement is building as NASA scientists and space enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await to see what new discoveries Lucy will unveil in the uncharted terrains of our solar system! Stay tuned for more captivating updates!