Juno to Fly By Earth

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Approaching Earth flyby to slingshot Juno to Jupiter

NASA’s Juno spacecraft launched aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Aug. 5, 2011, beginning a five-year journey to Jupiter.

But it wasn’t charted on a direct path.

Before it reaches its destination, Juno will greet the Earth one last time. The spacecraft will perform a flyby Oct. 9, passing within 347 miles of Earth.

The flyby will function as a gravity assist for Juno, with Earth’s gravity accelerating the solar-powered spacecraft’s velocity by 16,330 miles per hour. NASA launched Juno to an area just past Mars, then two main engine burns executed a year ago maneuvered it back around toward Earth.

Source