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NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft to Conduct Asteroid Flyby on Journey to Trojan Asteroids Near Jupiter
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Lucy spacecraft is scheduled to fly past a minor asteroid this weekend as part of its mission to reach and study the Trojan asteroids located near Jupiter.
This encounter marks the second asteroid flyby for Lucy, which commenced its space voyage in 2021. The mission aims to explore 11 asteroids in total. These close-range observations are anticipated to provide valuable insights into the early solar system and the formation of planets, as asteroids are considered remnants from that ancient period.
Dress Rehearsal for Trojan Asteroid Encounter
The upcoming flyby serves as a preparatory exercise for 2027, when Lucy is slated to arrive at its first Trojan asteroid near Jupiter. This initial flyby is critical for testing instruments and procedures before the main mission objectives.
Observation of Asteroid Donaldjohanson
On Sunday, the spacecraft will activate its suite of scientific instruments to observe the asteroid designated Donaldjohanson. This harmless asteroid is situated 139 million miles (223 million kilometers) from Earth, within the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The immense distance means that data transmission will take approximately 12 minutes to reach mission control in Colorado.
Named After Famous Fossil
Paleontologist Donald Johanson, the namesake of the asteroid, is expected to be present at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Control, the spacecraft’s builder and operator, to witness the event. Dr. Johanson is renowned for discovering the fossil “Lucy” in Ethiopia 50 years prior, which inspired the spacecraft’s name, honoring the famous human ancestor.
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Close Approach and Scientific Objectives
NASA’s Lucy spacecraft will approach within 596 miles (960 kilometers) of the asteroid. Donaldjohanson is estimated to be 2 ½ miles (4 kilometers) long but considerably narrower. Scientists anticipate gaining a more precise understanding of its dimensions and form after this brief reconnaissance. The spacecraft will traverse the asteroid at a remarkable speed of over 30,000 mph (48,000 kph).
Asteroid’s Origins
This asteroid is believed to be one of numerous fragments originating from a significant collision event that occurred 150 million years ago in the asteroid belt.
Unexpected Shape Anticipated
“It’s not going to be a simple potato shape. We are fairly confident of that,” commented principal investigator Hal Levison from the Southwest Research Institute.
Possible Shapes: Bowling Pin or Snowman
Levison suggested that the asteroid might resemble a bowling pin or even a snowman-like shape, similar to Arrokoth, a Kuiper Belt object previously explored by NASA’s New Horizons mission in 2019. Another possibility is the presence of two separate, elongated asteroids positioned far apart.
Intrigue of the Unknown
“We are uncertain about what we will find, and that element of surprise is part of what makes this so exciting,” Levison stated, highlighting the exploratory nature of the mission.
Limited Communication During Flyby
Communication with Lucy will be temporarily suspended during the flyby, as the spacecraft will orient its antenna away from Earth to maintain optimal tracking of the asteroid. Levison projects that the majority of the scientific data will be received within 24 hours of the encounter.
Trojan Asteroids: The Main Goal
Lucy’s subsequent destination, described by Levison as “the main event,” is the population of Trojan asteroids that orbit the sun in tandem with Jupiter. These asteroid swarms are situated both ahead of and behind the solar system’s largest planet in its orbit. Lucy is scheduled to examine eight of these Trojan asteroids between 2027 and 2033, including some that are binary pairs.
Previous Flyby of Dinkinesh
Lucy’s inaugural asteroid flyby took place in 2023, when it passed by the small asteroid Dinkinesh, also located in the main asteroid belt. During this encounter, the spacecraft made a surprising discovery of a miniature moon orbiting Dinkinesh, showcasing the mission’s potential for unexpected findings.