ESA Juice spacecraft used Earth gravity to slingshot toward Jupiter

Gravity assist altered trajectory significantly

Mission controllers guided the probe to skim the upper atmosphere over the Indian Ocean. This maneuver changed the spacecraft's flight path by twenty degrees and boosted its velocity by 3.5 km/s. The operation required very little fuel compared to standard propulsion methods.

Instruments tested during close approach

Scientists captured images of Earth and the Moon while Juice passed at an altitude of 8640 km. Tracking teams monitored the vessel closely from August 17 through October 10 to ensure stability. Only one small course correction was needed during the four weeks before the encounter.