Lucy Executes Historic Deep Space Maneuvers with Support from KinetX
Lucy’s trajectory to the Jupiter L4 Trojan asteroids, with this week’s DSMs labeled.
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/SWRI
Over the past week, the Lucy spacecraft performed two deep space maneuvers (DSMs) using its main propulsion engine, adjusting its trajectory to encounter the Jupiter L4 Trojan asteroids in 2027-2028. These maneuvers occurred on January 31 and February 3, and were the first time that Lucy’s main engine was operated in-flight. The second maneuver on February 3 is the largest planned DSM of the spacecraft’s 12-year mission, requiring the main engine to operate for over 36 minutes. KinetX continues to provide navigation and flight dynamics support for the Lucy mission, and was integral in designing the maneuver parameters for this large trajectory adjustment. More information about the DSM maneuvers can be found at nasa.gov. Go Lucy!
