Originally published on October 10, 2013
NASA's Juno spacecraft, launched in August 2011, will pass by Earth on October 9th to gain a speed boost for its journey to Jupiter.
The spacecraft will pass by 560 km above Earth's surface.The flyby is designed to bump Juno's speed from 125,500 kph relative to the sun to 140,000 kph.
Juno was launched via an Atlas V rocket, which also provided half of the boost it needs to reach Jupiter.
By performing a so-called 'gravitational slingshot', Juno will gain the rest of the speed it needs for the long trip to Jupiter from Earth's gravitational field.
A 'gravitational slingshot' involves the use of the relative movement and gravity of a planet to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft in order to save propellant and time. It can be used to accelerate and re-direct the path of a spacecraft.
Juno is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter in July 2016 after a journey 2.74 billion kilometers.
The probe's major objectives are to understand the formation and evolution of Jupiter by determining the amount of water and ammonia present in the atmosphere, observing the dynamics and Jupiter's upper atmosphere and mapping the planet's magnetic and gravity fields to learn more about its deep interior.
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