JUICE completes second Earth flyby, gaining 3.5 km/s on its way to Jupiter

European Space Agency/JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)

ESA's JUICE swung past Earth at 8,640 km above the Indian Ocean, using the planet's gravity to bend its path by 20 degrees and speed it up by 3.5 km/s. The precise pass saved fuel needed later at Jupiter and sets up one last Earth flyby in January 2029 before arrival in 2031.

• Closest approach 13:45 CEST on 28 Sep 2026, 8,640 km over the Indian Ocean
• Path bent by 20 degrees, speed increased by 3.5 km/s
• Only one of six available course-correction slots was used in the four weeks before
• Cameras, including the JANUS science camera, took images and instruments measured Earth's magnetic tail
• Next and final gravity assist: Earth, January 2029; Jupiter arrival 2031