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.

 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.

Q.1 Consider the following statements:

1. The Lucy Mission is led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with NASA.

2. 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

ANSWER: B

Q.2 Consider the following statements:

1. These asteroids have stable orbits, maintaining their positions despite the gravitational forces at

play.

2. 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

ANSWER: A

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.