NASA’s space shuttle Lucy It flew through Earth’s atmosphere this morning on the first anniversary of its launch.
Below the International Space Station — 220 miles above Earth’s surface — it flew past satellites and debris, using procedures to avoid a possible collision.
Scientists also need to take atmospheric resistance into account when designing aircraft.
The satellite was first spotted by sky watchers in Western Australia before disappearing into Earth’s shadow.
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A digital display launch clock shows NASA’s Lucy spacecraft studying the Trojan asteroids in the Solar System as it prepares to launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States. October 15 in 2021
(Reuters/Steves Nesiosas)
The 12-year mission, which launched last October 16, is the first mission to Jupiter’s asteroids.
Asteroids orbit the Sun and are at the same distance as Jupiter.
NASA said first aid for gravity She will guide Lucy on a new path for two years, after which other aid will be returned to give Lucy the energy to cross the main asteroid belt.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket carrying the Lucy spacecraft is shown lifting off from Space Launch Complex 41 in 2021 in this 2-minute, 30-second video. Saturday, October 16 at the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida.
(Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)
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Asteroid Lucy will be observed by Donald Johansson before traveling to Trojan asteroids.
The probe will pass by Eurybates, Quetta, Polymele, Leucus, and Orus.
September 1, 2021 NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is docked on a rotating platform at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville, Florida in 2021. Lucy is scheduled to launch after Saturday, October 16, in conjunction with the September 1 Alliance launch. Atlas Rocket 401 from Launch Pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
(NASA/Glenn Benson)
In 2030, Lucy’s third gravitational boost will approach the Patroclus-Minucius asteroid binary pair in the Trojan asteroid cluster.
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The agency indicated that it would use Lucia’s pictures of the Earth and the Moon As they fly to calibrate their instruments.