NASA's Lucy mission is ready to launch and explore never-before-seen asteroids

  • 📰 CNN Philippines
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 79 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 35%
  • Publisher: 63%

Philippines Headlines News

Philippines Latest News,Philippines Headlines

The first NASA mission to fly by a total of eight ancient asteroids is ready for launch.

Weather conditions will be 90% favorable on the morning of October 16, when the Lucy mission is set to leave Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:34 a.m. ET. If it doesn't launch at that time, the window for liftoff remains open for 75 minutes.

Lucy is the first spacecraft designed to visit and observe these asteroids, which are remnants from the early days of our solar system. The mission will help researchers effectively peer back in time to learn how the solar system formed 4.5 billion years ago. Lucy's 12-year mission could also help scientists learn how our planets ended up in their current spots.

The spacecraft is set to fly by an asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and then it will explore seven of the Trojans. Over the course of its mission, Lucy will end up swinging back to Earth's orbit three separate times for gravity assists that can slingshot it on the right path. That will make Lucy the first spacecraft to travel to Jupiter and return to Earth.

Both the fossil and the mission are a nod to the Beatles tune"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," which is why the logo for the Lucy mission includes a diamond.Lucy will specifically visit these asteroids, all named for heroes you might recognize from Homer's"The Iliad": Eurybates, Queta, Polymele, Leucus, Orus, Patroclus and Menoetius.

"Lucy will be NASA's first mission to travel this far away from the sun without nuclear power," said Joan Salute, associate director for flight programs at NASA's Planetary Science Division."In order to generate enough energy, Lucy has two very large circular solar arrays that open up like Chinese fans. These open up autonomously and simultaneously, and it happens about one hour after launch.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 13. in PH

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

'KMJS' guest appearance ni Kuya Kim Atienza, nasa mahigit 4 million views na sa social mediaAng special guest appearance ng “Kuya ng Bayan” sa 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' ay mayroon nang mahigit four million views social media. I love this episode
Source: gmanetwork - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

China launches 6-month crewed mission as it cements position as global space powerChina launched a three-person crew into space in the early hours of Saturday -- a major step for the country's young space program, which is rapidly becoming one of the world's most advanced.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

LOOK: Jewel Mische gives pregnancy update on her InstagramJewel Mische looks about ready to give birth in a recent Instagram post! ❤️️
Source: gmanetwork - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Beijing ready for Olympia flame but wary of protestsThe Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will come into sharp focus with the ceremonial torch-lighting ceremony in Greece's ancient Olympia. BoycottBeijing2022
Source: ANCALERTS - 🏆 26. / 50 Read more »

Beijing ready for Olympia flame but wary of protestsThe Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will come into sharp focus with the ceremonial torch-lighting ceremony in Greece's ancient Olympia. Boycott CCP. Huwag umasa sa iyong buwanang suweldo Ituturo ko sa iyo kung paano gumawa ng $ 15,000 tuwing 7 araw lingguhan sa pamamagitan ng forex trading at Bitcoin mining. mula sa iyong bahay ihulog ang iyong pangalan ng bansa kung ikaw ay interesado o Whatsapp sa akin
Source: ABSCBNNews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Flying sushi: Israel readies for delivery drone traffic jamsDrone powerhouse Israel is translating the knowhow of air force veterans to the delivery of sushi and ice-cream, as companies tap their expertise to avoid co...
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »