Lucy

En Route

First mission to visit Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, ancient remnants from the formation of the solar system. Will visit 8 asteroids over 12 years. Already completed two successful asteroid encounters with targets Dinkinesh and Donaldjohanson.

Type

Asteroid Flyby Mission

Launch Date

10/16/2021

Location

En Route to Trojan Asteroids

Live Journey Position

Mission Achievements

✓Completed flyby of asteroid Dinkinesh (November 2023)
✓Completed flyby of asteroid Donaldjohanson (April 20, 2025)
✓Successfully launched and deployed solar arrays
✓First mission dedicated to Trojan asteroids
✓Discovered Dinkinesh has a small moon
✓2 of 8 target asteroids visited
✓First Jupiter Trojan target Eurybates arrival August 2027

Mission Objectives

▸Study composition and structure of Trojan asteroids
▸Understand early solar system formation
▸Compare different types of primitive bodies
▸Investigate asteroid density and internal structure
▸Search for moons around target asteroids

Scientific Instruments

•L'LORRI: Lucy Long Range Reconnaissance Imager - high-resolution camera
•L'TES: Lucy Thermal Emission Spectrometer - surface temperature and composition
•L'Ralph: Color imaging and infrared spectroscopy
•OTES: OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer - backup instrument
•High Gain Antenna: For precise radio science measurements