ESA’s Juice Just Used Earth as a Slingshot to Jupiter

NASA's Jupiter-bound spacecraft changed direction by 20 degrees and gained 3.5 km/s in speed using Earth’s gravity; ESA’s Juice spacecraft needed no major engine burn for the boost

On September 28, 2026, Juice, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, accomplished a successful gravity assist flyby of Earth. This maneuver was pivotal in adjusting the spacecraft's trajectory and significantly boosting its speed without the need for extensive engine thrust. Throughout its mission, Juice has strategically employed gravity assists, effectively conserving fuel.

ESA’s Juice just used Earth as a slingshot to Jupiter

ESA’s Juice spacecraft raced past Earth on September 28, using our planet’s gravity to dramatically reshape its path toward Jupiter without burning much fuel. The flyby changed its direction by 20 degrees and increased its speed by 3.5 km/s, while also giving scientists a rare chance to test its instruments on Earth and the Moon.

Earth Flyby: Europe's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) | Jupiter Arrival in 2031

Earth Flyby: Europe's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) | Jupiter Arrival in 2031On September 28, 2026, the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) successfully completed a gravity assist flyby of Earth. Flight controllers guided the spacecraft close to our home planet to increase its velocity by 3.5 km/s and deflect its trajectory by an angle of 20°. As JUICE flew just 8640 km above the Indian Ocean, it snapped a series of i…