NASA's Lucy sets off on a 12-year campaign to unravel the mysteries of the solar system
The US space agency NASA on Saturday launched the first space mission of its kind. Under this, a spacecraft named Lucy has been sent on a campaign for 12 years, which will reveal the secrets of the eight asteroids of Jupiter. During this time seven mysterious rocks present along with asteroids that share the orbit of Jupiter will also be explored. These rocks are considered to be the ancient remains of the formation of planets and through them information regarding the origin of the solar system can also be obtained. Lucy was set off on a 6.3 billion kilometer long journey with the Atlas-5 rocket early in the morning.
The name Lucy is based on a Beatles band song
The spacecraft Lucy is named after the skeletal remains of the ancestors of humans 3.2 million years old. It was discovered in Ethiopia about 50 years ago. The discovery was named after the popular English band The Beatles' (1967) song 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds', which prompted NASA to name its spacecraft Lucy.
The diamond disc is present in the spacecraft
The spacecraft also carries a lab-made diamond disc, specially designed for a scientific instrument. Donald Johnson, the scientist who discovered the fossil Lucy, said, 'I am surprised. It is like going beyond our past, present and future. The ancestors of humans inspired a mission that promises to gather vital information about the formation of the solar system. Johnson, associated with Arizona State University, was present at Cape Canaveral at the time of the launch of this mission.
$981 million cost
The purpose of the $ 981 million (about Rs 7,361 crore) Lucy mission is to find out about Jupiter's Trojan asteroid. The Trojan asteroids are believed to be as old as the Solar System. Some of these remain in their orbit, while some follow Jupiter. Despite their orbit, the Trojans are far away from the planets and remain scattered from each other. Lucy will pass near the Earth in October next year and in the year 2024, gaining gravity, which will be useful during its presence on Jupiter. NASA's science mission chief Thomas Zurbuchen said the path is complicated and winding.