04 Nov Lucy Mission
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Lucy Mission”. This topic has relevance in the Science and Technology section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
About the Lucy Mission?
Trojan Asteroids?
For Mains:
GS 3: Science and Technology
Key Aspects of the Lucy Mission?
Why in the news?
NASA’s Lucy mission has discovered that the asteroid Dinkinesh is actually a binary system of two asteroids.
About Lucy Mission:
The Lucy mission, initiated by NASA, is an extraordinary venture designed to explore the enigmatic Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. Launched successfully on October 16, 2021, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission is set to span 12 years, providing valuable insights into these ancient relics of our solar system’s formation.
Key Aspects of the Lucy Mission:
- Objective: Lucy is the first mission of its kind, dedicated to the exploration of Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. These asteroids share the same orbit as Jupiter, with two distinct groups at the leading (L4) and trailing (L5) Lagrangian points of the planet.
- Mission Duration: Over its 12-year mission duration, Lucy will make close encounters with a remarkable number of asteroids. It will pass by two asteroids within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, followed by encounters with ten Trojan asteroids, including both individual asteroids and the moons of some of them.
- Earth Flybys: As a unique feature, Lucy will execute three Earth flybys. These flybys will utilize Earth’s gravity to provide the necessary velocity adjustments, allowing Lucy to reach its target Trojans. This marks Lucy as the first spacecraft to return to Earth’s vicinity from the outer solar system.
- Scientific Instruments: Lucy is equipped with two infrared spectrometers and four cameras, enabling it to conduct detailed observations and gather critical data about the Trojan asteroids.
Trojan Asteroids:
Trojan asteroids are asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit but are situated at the planet’s Lagrangian points, specifically the leading (L4) and trailing (L5) points.
Key characteristics of Trojan asteroids include:
- Stable Orbits: These asteroids occupy stable Lagrangian points within Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun, maintaining a stable position despite the gravitational forces at play.
- Ancient Remnants: Trojan asteroids are believed to be some of the oldest remnants from the formation of the solar system, dating back approximately 5 billion years.
- Two Groups: There are over 4,800 known Trojan asteroids associated with Jupiter, and they are categorized into two loose groups: the leading group ahead of Jupiter in its orbit and the trailing group, positioned at the same distance from the Sun as Jupiter.
Lagrange Points:
Lagrange points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system, such as the Sun and the Earth or Sun and Jupiter, create regions of enhanced attraction and repulsion. These points have significance for several reasons:
- Balanced Forces: At Lagrange points, the gravitational pull of two large masses precisely equals the centripetal force required for a smaller object to move with them, resulting in a state of equilibrium.
- Spacecraft Utilization: Spacecraft can use Lagrange points to reduce fuel consumption required to maintain a stable position in space, making them advantageous for missions like Lucy.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 04 Nov 2023
Q.1 Consider the following statements:
- The Lucy Mission is led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with NASA.
- The mission aims to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids, which share the planet’s orbit.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.2 Consider the following statements:
- These asteroids have stable orbits, maintaining their positions despite the gravitational forces at play.
- Trojan asteroids are believed to be among the youngest celestial bodies in our solar system, dating back just a few million years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.3 Discuss the significance of the Lucy Mission initiated by NASA in exploring the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. Analyze the potential scientific and practical applications of the knowledge gained through this mission.
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