NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is 6 days and less than 50 million miles away from its second close encounter with an asteroid; this time, the small main belt asteroid Donaldjohanson.

NASA's Lucy spacecraft is rapidly approaching its second scheduled close encounter with the asteroid Donaldjohanson, set to occur on April 20, 2025. This encounter is significant as it serves as a 'dress rehearsal' for Lucy's upcoming primary mission aimed at exploring the Trojan asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit. Launched in 2021, Lucy's objectives are to gather information on these ancient remnants of the solar system, providing critical insights into the formation of planets. During this next flyby, Lucy will come within 596 miles of Donaldjohanson, a relatively small asteroid approximately 4 kilometers in diameter. The NASA team has indicated that this asteroid is a fragment from a collision occurring about 150 million years ago, making it one of the youngest asteroids to be studied. Each asteroid possesses unique characteristics and historical significance, revealing pieces of solar system history that have long been obscured. One of the unique challenges of this encounter is the need for Lucy to temporarily suspend communication with Earth approximately 30 minutes before the closest approach, as the spacecraft will orient its high-gain antenna towards the asteroid, severing contact. This necessitates an autonomous operation during the approach, with Lucy utilizing its advanced terminal tracking systems to keep the asteroid in sight without sunlight interfering with sensitive instruments. The use of multiple science instruments such as L’LORRI, L’Ralph, and L’TES emphasizes the mission's complexity. The encounter is laden with expectations, especially after Lucy's previous flyby yielded surprising results—including the discovery of a satellite orbiting the Dinkinesh asteroid. As researchers prepare for the data that will be collected from Donaldjohanson, they remain hopeful that this encounter will also unveil significant discoveries about the early solar system. NASA's ongoing commitment to exploration through missions like Lucy exemplifies an essential aspect of their overall scientific ambition—seeking answers to fundamental questions about our origins in the universe. With each flyby, the Lucy mission takes another step toward enhancing human understanding of the larger cosmic narrative, an adventure that promises further surprises and discoveries. As the date approaches, the anticipation among the scientific community grows, with high hopes for the insights that await us. This successful mission is a testament to a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions, scientists, and technological prowess, embodying the spirit of exploration that drives NASA forward.