Fly-by-manoeuvres
Fly-by-manoeuvres
After its launch in 2021, Lucy will gain momentum for its journey through the asteroid belt to its destination, the Trojans in Jupiter's orbit, by performing two close fly-bys of Earth, referred to as gravity assist manoeuvres. Before that, Lucy will pass the asteroids Dinkinesh on 1 November 2023 and Donaldjohanson in April 2025. In 2027, the spacecraft will arrive at the Trojan asteroids that orbit ahead of Jupiter at Lagrange point 4, the 'Greek camp'. In 2028, Lucy’s path leads it back to Earth, where the spacecraft will be steered towards the Trojans at Lagrange Point 5, the rallying point of the ‘Trojans’ besieged by the Greeks.
Credit:
SWRI/DLR