The European Space Agency published a mission preview on September 21, 2026, for JUICE's planned third Earth gravity assist on September 28. Under the trajectory described at publication, the spacecraft is expected to pass over the Indian Ocean at about 13:45 CEST, or 11:45 UTC, with a closest approach near 8,640 kilometres. ESA expects Earth's gravity to bend the spacecraft's path by roughly 20 degrees and add about 3.5 kilometres per second to its heliocentric speed. Multiple science instruments are scheduled to operate between September 23 and October 3, providing opportunities for calibration and observations as JUICE continues toward the Jupiter system. The source was published on September 21 and the flyby was still a future event at that time. This article therefore uses planned and expected language; the actual closest distance, timing, instrument operations, and outcome require a later ESA confirmation.
International space · Space technology
JUICE Set for Third Earth Gravity Assist on September 28
ESA plans for the JUICE spacecraft to fly past Earth on September 28 at a closest distance of about 8,640 kilometres. The gravity assist is expected to bend the trajectory by roughly 20 degrees and add about 3.5 kilometres per second.
Gravity assistJupiter exploration