Lucy Spacecraft Set to Perform Earth Slingshot Maneuver

NASA's Lucy mission is embarking on a voyage towards the Jupiter Trojans – clusters of primordial asteroids ensnared in Jupiter's orbit, holding vital clues to planetary genesis. Launched on October 16, 2021, Lucy orbits the Sun for a year, then marks its launch anniversary with a unique event: three Earth gravity assists. On October 16, 2022, Lucy dances past Earth in a celestial waltz, enhancing its velocity and extending its solar orbit. At 7:04 am ET, Lucy's closest approach, merely 219 miles above Earth – lower than the International Space Station – intensifies its speed by 4.5 miles per second, propelling Lucy for an even swifter encounter during its second Earth gravity assist in December 2024.