NASA's Lucy mission launched on October 16, 2021, with the goal of studying a diverse group of asteroids, including those in the main asteroid belt and Jupiter Trojan asteroids. Over its planned 12-year mission, Lucy will investigate 11 target asteroids, comprising three from the main belt and eight associated with Jupiter.
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The spacecraft has successfully completed flybys of Dinkinesh and its satellite Selam on November 1, 2023, as well as the asteroid Donaldjohanson on April 20, 2025. The upcoming flyby is set for August 11, 2027, when Lucy will encounter Eurybates and its satellite Queta.
Following this, the mission will continue with additional scheduled flybys: Polymele and its unnamed satellite on September 14, 2027, Leucus on April 18, 2028, Orus on November 11, 2028, and conclude with Patroclus and its satellite Menoetius on March 3, 2033.
Jupiter Trojan asteroids are significant as they are believed to be remnants from the solar system's formation, occupying stable orbits that offer insights into early solar system conditions. Lucy is the inaugural spacecraft mission designed to explore this class of asteroids, providing valuable data from its encounters across various asteroid populations.
Thus far, Lucy's mission encompasses a series of carefully planned flybys that will enhance our understanding of these ancient celestial objects.