NASAs Lucy objective is the first spacecraft introduced to check out the Trojan asteroids, a population of primitive asteroids orbiting in tandem with Jupiter. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight CenterThe Lucy objective aims to study the Jupiter Trojan asteroids through a series of deep space maneuvers and an Earth gravity help, setting the stage for encounters with asteroid Donaldjohanson and the Trojan asteroid Eurybates.After its effective very first asteroid encounter in 2023, NASAs Lucy objective has its sights securely set on its main targets, the never-before-explored Jupiter Trojan asteroids. In 2024, the Lucy spacecraft will transition from its present orbit around the Sun– one that simply skims the inner edge of the main asteroid belt– to a brand-new orbit that will bring it beyond the orbit of Jupiter and into the world of the Trojan asteroids.
NASAs Lucy objective is the very first spacecraft introduced to check out the Trojan asteroids, a population of primitive asteroids orbiting in tandem with Jupiter. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight CenterThe Lucy objective intends to study the Jupiter Trojan asteroids through a series of deep space maneuvers and an Earth gravity help, setting the phase for encounters with asteroid Donaldjohanson and the Trojan asteroid Eurybates.After its successful first asteroid encounter in 2023, NASAs Lucy objective has its sights strongly set on its main targets, the never-before-explored Jupiter Trojan asteroids. In 2024, the Lucy spacecraft will shift from its present orbit around the Sun– one that simply skims the inner edge of the primary asteroid belt– to a brand-new orbit that will carry it beyond the orbit of Jupiter and into the world of the Trojan asteroids.
