NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is about to have its second close encounter with an asteroid

Engadget - Apr 19th, 2025

NASA's Lucy spacecraft is set to make a close approach to the asteroid Donaldjohanson, located in the main asteroid belt, on Sunday afternoon. This flyby is part of Lucy's ambitious 12-year mission aimed at studying remnants from the early solar system. During its closest approach, Lucy will be 596 miles from the asteroid, employing three instruments to capture detailed observations. However, the spacecraft will have to shield its instruments just before the nearest point to avoid damage from the sun's position. This marks Lucy's second asteroid encounter following its 2023 visit to the asteroid Dinkinesh, where it discovered a peanut-shaped contact binary moon. Future targets for Lucy include the Trojan asteroids orbiting the sun along Jupiter's path, with the first visit anticipated in 2027.

This mission holds significant implications for understanding the history of our solar system. Each asteroid encounter offers unique insights, as highlighted by Tom Statler, Lucy mission's program scientist, who expressed that each new discovery has exceeded expectations and deepened our understanding of solar history. The anticipation surrounding Donaldjohanson is high, with telescopic observations suggesting intriguing characteristics. The Lucy mission exemplifies the ongoing quest to piece together the complex narrative of our cosmic origins, shedding light on the formation and evolution of celestial bodies in the solar system.

Nasa Lucy Spacecraft Donaldjohanson Asteroid Solar System Asteroid Flyby Trojan Asteroids Tom Statler

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of NASA's Lucy spacecraft mission, focusing on its upcoming encounter with asteroid Donaldjohanson. It scores highly in accuracy, source quality, and timeliness, presenting well-supported and current information. The article is clear and readable, making technical space exploration concepts accessible to a general audience. However, it could improve in balance by including perspectives from independent experts and in transparency by providing more background context. While not controversial, the article engages readers interested in space exploration and has the potential to influence public opinion by highlighting the mission's scientific significance. Overall, it is a well-written piece that effectively communicates the key aspects of the Lucy mission.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, presenting factual information about NASA's Lucy spacecraft and its planned asteroid flyby. The details regarding the spacecraft's proximity to asteroid Donaldjohanson, the instruments used, and the mission's objectives align well with verified sources. The mention of the asteroid's naming after a paleoanthropologist and Lucy's previous encounter with asteroid Dinkinesh are also consistent with NASA's reports. However, while the article correctly outlines the mission's timeline and objectives, some specifics about the asteroid's size and composition, which are expected to be confirmed post-flyby, require further verification.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced viewpoint by focusing on the scientific and exploratory aspects of NASA's mission without displaying bias or favoritism. It highlights the potential scientific insights from the mission and includes a quote from a NASA scientist, providing a professional perspective. However, it could be more balanced by including viewpoints from independent experts or skeptics to offer a broader perspective on the mission's significance and potential challenges.

Clarity

The article is clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information that makes it easy to follow. The language is neutral and informative, and technical terms are explained adequately, such as the description of a 'contact binary.' However, the article could improve clarity by providing more background information on the significance of studying Trojan asteroids and the historical context of the Lucy mission.

Source quality

The article primarily relies on NASA as its source, which is a credible and authoritative entity in space exploration. The inclusion of a direct quote from a NASA scientist enhances the reliability of the information provided. However, the article could benefit from additional sources, such as independent space analysts or academic experts, to corroborate and enrich the narrative.

Transparency

The article is somewhat transparent, as it clearly states the mission's goals and the expected outcomes. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies used in the mission and does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or funding sources. Including more context about the mission's background and its broader implications for space exploration would enhance transparency.