With NASA releasing previously unseen images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the public was expecting more perspectives of the comet. One of the best views of the object could be seen by the European Space Agency (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE). The spacecraft would attempt the observation in November 2025, according to the ESA. However, the data from JUICE’s observations of 3I/ATLAS would not be received by Earth until February 2026. It was because it was using its smaller medium-gain antenna to send back data at a much lower rate. It was presently far from the Earth on the other side of the Sun, which gave a much better view.
Probe Headed to Jupiter Views Comet 3I/ATLAS
The observations would be made between November 5 and 25 using various instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a particle sensor. With the main high-gain antenna in use as a heat shield and the smaller medium-gain antenna on slower rates, the delay in reception was expected. “All this campaign was unexpected for everybody!” said Olivier Witasse, ESA Project Scientist, according to IFLScience. JUICE was in its cruise phase, and with increased thermal constraints, no payload activity was expected to take place at the moment. “However, given the uniqueness of these observations, it was decided to prepare this extra observation planning,” Witasse added.
JUICE Readies Instruments for the Observation
Alpine Times noted that this was fortuitous, as the spacecraft was on a slow trajectory towards the gas giant, making the observations easier. JUICE would use five instruments, including the near-infrared imaging instrument, the UV spectrometer, the sub-millimetre instrument, a sensor to image neutral atoms, and the camera. “We are far away (0.5 astronomical units), therefore, only remote sensing,” Witasse added. A combination of factors was responsible for delaying the reception back to Earth, including the speed, trajectory, positions, solar trouble, and space weather.
Applying Maneuvers to Assist With The Journey
The spacecraft was designed for the cold, dark environment of Jupiter, which made it use the main antenna as a heat shield. It was also one of the reasons why the images of Venus were not taken, as it used the planet to aid in gravity. The spacecraft was making such maneuvers to protect sensitive components of the spacecraft. “Due to thermal constraints, its remote sensing instruments cannot be active during the flyby,” ESA explained. With more missions designed to intercept cosmic objects specifically, capturing images of comets during their trajectory through the solar system might become easier.
New Technology for Similar Missions in the Works
ESA is developing the next-generation comet mission, “Comet Interceptor,” the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer parts of the Sun. This comet would be carrying material that was “untouched since the dawn of the solar system.” Though rare, an interstellar comet might also get caught in the radar of the Comet Interceptor. JUICE would be using the Earth flyby in 2026 to try adjusting its trajectory. The spacecraft would return to Earth after one more orbit around the Sun for a final flyby in January 2029. This flyby would be used to send JUICE on a transfer trajectory, which would intercept Jupiter in July 2031.
