Articles | Volume 44, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1131-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1131-2026
Regular paper
 | 
20 Oct 2026
Regular paper |  | 20 Oct 2026

The JUICE Lunar–Earth gravity assist from trajectory design, navigation and spacecraft operations perspective

Angela Dietz, Arnaud Boutonnet, and Frank Budnik

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Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1015', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Apr 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Angela Dietz, 13 May 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2026-1015', Anonymous Referee #2, 10 Apr 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Angela Dietz, 13 May 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (25 May 2026) by Elias Roussos
AR by Angela Dietz on behalf of the Authors (07 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (12 Jun 2026) by Elias Roussos
AR by Angela Dietz on behalf of the Authors (24 Jun 2026)
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Short summary
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft performed the first-ever Lunar–Earth Gravity Assist (LEGA) on 19–20 August 2024, executing a double flyby – first the Moon, then Earth – to gain a significant ΔV boost while conserving propellant. This paper describes this manoeuvre from trajectory design, navigation and spacecraft operations point of view.
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