The European Space Agency's JUICE probe is performing a gravity assist maneuver by passing 8,700 kilometers from Earth. This operation is part of a complex navigation sequence designed to propel the spacecraft toward Jupiter.
Launched in 2023, the probe previously utilized gravity assists from the Earth-Moon system in 2024 and Venus in 2025. These maneuvers have accelerated the craft to a current speed of approximately 39,600 kilometers per hour.
A final Earth flyby is scheduled for 2029 to set the trajectory for the Jovian system. Upon arrival in 2031, the mission will conduct 35 flybys of Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa to investigate subsurface oceans and Ganymede's magnetic field.
During the current flyby, the team will calibrate onboard instruments by targeting the Earth and Moon. According to project scientist Claire Vallat, this provides an opportunity to test scientific equipment across various orientations.
