In the current spacecraft attitude, Lucy can continue to operate with no threat to its health and safety.
An artist illustration of the Lucy spacecraft.During its 12-year mission, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft will explore eight asteroids.On its way out to the Trojan asteroids, Lucy will fly by the main belt asteroid (52246) Donaldjohanson on April 20, 2025.
The spacecraft’s orbit will then bring Lucy back to the vicinity of the Earth for another gravity assist, and will take it again out to the distance of Jupiter.Lucy will remain on a stable orbit which will enable it to visit the Trojan swarms over and over again for many thousands, and possibly millions, of years.
October 16, 2021
October 16, 2021October 16, 2021