{
  "id": 9416447,
  "title": "JUICE Mission to Swing by Earth on September 28",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/juice-mission-to-swing-by-earth-on-september-28",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-23T21:20:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Universe Today",
    "slug": "universe-today",
    "url": "https://www.universetoday.com/articles/juice-mission-to-swing-by-earth-on-september-28"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 28, the European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission will make a close pass by Earth. This flyby, occurring at 13:45 CEST (07:45 a.m. EST; 04:45 a.m. PST), will see JUICE reach its closest point at 8,640 km (5,370 mi) from our planet. The maneuver represents an important step in JUICE's trajectory, designed to deposit the spacecraft around Jupiter by July 2031.\n\nThe first maneuver for JUICE took place on August 19, 2024, with a lunar-Earth flyby, putting the spacecraft on track for Venus. A gravity-assist maneuver with Venus on August 31, 2025, altered JUICE's trajectory, allowing it to gain extra speed.\n\nThe upcoming Earth flyby is essential for positioning JUICE on an optimal flight path toward Jupiter. It will also allow the spacecraft to collect valuable data on Earth and the Moon, including measurements of Earth's magnetotail during the flyby. JUICE's navigation camera team will test a new technique to improve navigation accuracy using the Moon's horizon.\n\nAlthough the flyby poses risks, ESA project scientist Claire Vallat notes that it is less complex than the 2024 lunar-Earth flyby due to the absence of a subsequent Venus flyby. JUICE's onboard monitoring cameras will capture images throughout the flyby, which will be shared on the ESA's website and social media platforms.",
  "summary": "The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 28 September, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft close to our home planet to alter its speed and direction en route to Jupiter.",
  "key_points": [
    "JUICE spacecraft to make Earth flyby on September 28",
    "Closest approach at 8,640 km from Earth",
    "Mission aims to position JUICE for Jupiter arrival in 2031"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}