NASA’s Lucy Mission Prepares for Journey to Asteroids

NASA’s Lucy mission has successfully extended its solar arrays, preparing for its journey to the Trojan asteroids. The mission will study seven of these ancient asteroids, which are thought to be remnants of the early solar system.

The solar arrays will provide power for the Lucy spacecraft during its 12-year journey. They are made up of two 24-foot (7.3 m) panels that were folded up for launch. The arrays were extended using a series of motors and gears.

The Lucy mission is a major step forward in our understanding of the early solar system. It is the first mission to study the Trojan asteroids, which are thought to be important clues to the formation of the planets.