NASA's Lucy Mission launched to Jupiter's Trojan Asteroids

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16
Oct

NASA's Lucy Mission

Lucy is the first space mission to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids – the primitive bodies that hold vital clues to deciphering the history of the solar system.

There are Lucy Mission's seven targets – the binary asteroid Patroclus, Menoetius, Eurybates, Orus, Leucus, Polymele, and the main-belt asteroid Donald Johanson.

 

Frame rotating with Jupiter illustrates Lucy's orbital path. Credit to NASA
Frame rotating with Jupiter illustrates Lucy's orbital path. Credit to NASA

 

The mission takes its name from the fossilised human ancestor, called “Lucy” by her discoverers, whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity's evolution. The Lucy mission is expected to similarly revolutionise our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system.

 

Lucy lifts off on 16 October 2021. Credit to NASA/Bill Ingalls
Lucy lifts off on 16 October 2021. Credit to NASA/Bill Ingalls

 

On Saturday, 16 October 2021, the Lucy spacecraft launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

 

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard. Credit to NASA/Bill Ingalls
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft aboard. Credit to NASA/Bill Ingalls

 

With boosts from Earth's gravity, Lucy will complete a 12-year journey to eight different asteroids — a Main Belt asteroid and seven Trojans, four of which are members of “two-for-the-price-of-one” binary systems.

 

Launch of NASA's Lucy Mission