Articles | Volume 44, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1131-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1131-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
| 
20 Oct 2026
Regular paper |
| 20 Oct 2026
| 20 Oct 2026
The JUICE Lunar–Earth gravity assist from trajectory design, navigation and spacecraft operations perspective
Angela Dietz
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
ESA/ESOC, Robert-Bosch-Str. 5, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
Arnaud Boutonnet
ESA/ESOC, Robert-Bosch-Str. 5, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
Frank Budnik
ESA/ESOC, Robert-Bosch-Str. 5, Darmstadt, 64293, Germany
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The first ever double gravity assist of Moon and Earth on the 19th and 20th of August 2024 by the ESA JUICE spacecraft provided a unique opportunity for payload calibration in preparation for the nominal science phase. Despite the complex set of constraints applicable to such operationally critical phases, the payload and facility instruments were able to operate. The excellent scientific dataset acquired confirmed the instrument performances.
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JANUS is the high-resolution multispectral camera on board of the ESA JUICE mission. During 19-20 August 2024 JUICE flew by the Moon and the Earth performing a Lunar-Earth Gravity Assist maneuver that provided a unique opportunity to test the instruments in mission-like conditions. In this paper we describe the status of the calibration pipeline applied to JANUS data acquired, the lessons learned by the analysis of the calibrated data and the open points.
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The first ever double gravity assist of Moon and Earth on the 19th and 20th of August 2024 by the ESA JUICE spacecraft provided a unique opportunity for payload calibration in preparation for the nominal science phase. Despite the complex set of constraints applicable to such operationally critical phases, the payload and facility instruments were able to operate. The excellent scientific dataset acquired confirmed the instrument performances.
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This paper describes the observations of Moon and the Earth carried on by JANUS during LEGA in Aug 2024 and the in Sept 2024 when JUICE looked back to the Moon-Earth system following the flyby. The observation sequences are described together with the limitations that had to be taken into account during the design process. Some highlights are lessons learned from the campaigns are provided, including the importance of science-like activities during the long cruise phase of planetary missions.
Livio Agostini, Klaus-Dieter Matz, Cecilia Tubiana, Vincenzo Della Corte, Luca Penasa, Thomas Bilotta, Francesco Sarti, Matthew Read, Stubbe Hviid, Stefano Mottola, Alessio Aboudan, Frank Trauthan, Romolo Politi, Michael Aye, Ricardo Hueso, Alice Lucchetti, Elke Kersten, Ines Belgacem, Angela Dietz, Ry Evill, Jim F. Bell III, Angelo Zinzi, Jose María Castro-Marin, Thomas Roatsch, Nicole Schmitz, Manish R. Patel, Luisa M. Lara, Ganna Portyankina, and Pasquale Palumbo
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2032, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2032, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
JANUS is the high-resolution multispectral camera on board of the ESA JUICE mission. During 19-20 August 2024 JUICE flew by the Moon and the Earth performing a Lunar-Earth Gravity Assist maneuver that provided a unique opportunity to test the instruments in mission-like conditions. In this paper we describe the status of the calibration pipeline applied to JANUS data acquired, the lessons learned by the analysis of the calibrated data and the open points.
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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.
ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft performed the first-ever Lunar–Earth Gravity...
