FAIRMONT — NASA’s Lucy is on track and project officials say the most recent critical milestone sets up this generational mission to the Trojan asteroids and to a deeper understanding of the solar system.
The Lucy robotic mission, which is scheduled to launch next year, is going to the Trojan asteroid belt in Jupiter’s orbit to study the asteroids. In this area, asteroid dynamics can be varied and indicative of some of what’s happening across the system, according to The Lucy NASA IV&V Project Manager Roger Harris.
“Understanding more about [Trojan asteroids] is going to help us validate some of our assumptions about what [primordial material] looks like … as well as help us understand better about the composition about the earliest parts of the solar system,” Lucy NASA IV&V Project Manager Roger Harris said.
In August, the mission’s Systems Integration Review (SIR) ensured segments, components, sub systems scientific instrumentation, electrical and communication systems and navigation are on schedule. The milestone confirms that facilities, support and procedures are on track for the next step to review operation.
During the formal process for milestone reviews, boards of space flight experts who provide insight on various aspects of these complex missions come together and help officials reach key decision points. This certifies that missions can move forward to each new phase up to launch, according to Harris.
Moving through these milestones, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, isn’t always easy, but the IV&V team is working diligently, according to Project Lead Chad Ollila.
“The local team approach has to be able to evolve and adjust,” he said. “Communication is key, and use of collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams and Skype are instrumental in the team’s communication approach.”
As a whole, the IV&V team continues to adapt to the Developer’s robust schedule and maintains in-phase analysis. This approach, established since the onset of IV&V analysis activities, has continued unaltered in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ollila.
With this milestone under its belt, Lucy is one step closer to better understanding the Trojan asteroids for years to come.
“The Trojans are remnants of giant planetary formation, and are very diverse,” Ollila said. “These Trojans were likely formed from various locations within the Solar System, and they were mixed together by planetary formation and migration.”
Lucy will be long mission with a 12-year timeline. During that period, Harris and Ollila say we will learn more about the solar system and its origins, which can lead to more sustainable space exploration.
“The deeper into the solar system that we go, the more you’re going to see these generational type missions happen,” Harris said. “It’s going to be our legacy.”
Clarissa R. Cottrill
Jr. Communications Specialist