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Planetary flyby

Sending a space probe past a planet or dwarf planet

Sending a space probe past a planet or dwarf planet

A planetary flyby is the act of sending a space probe past a planet or a dwarf planet close enough to record scientific data. This is a subset of the overall concept of a flyby in spaceflight.

The first flyby of another planet with a functioning spacecraft took place on December 14, 1962, when Mariner 2 zoomed by the planet Venus.

Planetary flybys are commonly used as gravity assist maneuvers to "slingshot" a space probe toward its primary target without expending fuel, but in some cases (such as with New Horizons), flybys are the primary objectives of a mission in of themselves. Flybys modify the direction of the probe and adds to its heliocentric velocity.

A relatively recent example of a flyby spacecraft is New Horizons, which performed flyby maneuvers of Jupiter, Pluto and its moons in the 21st century. The flyby of Jupiter, used as a gravity assist, allowed the craft to reach Pluto at high velocity without the complications of slowing down, after which it proceeded further into the Kuiper Belt on an escape trajectory out of the Solar System.

List of planetary flybys

Flyby dateLaunch dateOperatorSpacecraftDetailsMission result
19 May 196112 February 1961Soviet UnionVenera 1First Venus flyby (contact lost before flyby)Failure
14 December 196227 August 1962United StatesMariner 2**First successful non-lunar planetary encounter and first successful Venus flyby**Success
19 June 19631 November 1962Soviet UnionMars 1First Mars flyby (contact lost)Failure
19 July 19642 April 1964Soviet UnionZond 1Venus flyby (contact lost)Failure
15 July 196528 November 1964United StatesMariner 4**First successful Mars flyby**Success
6 August 196530 November 1964Soviet UnionZond 2Mars flyby (contact lost)Failure
27 February 196612 November 1965Soviet UnionVenera 2Venus flyby (contact lost)Failure
19 October 196714 June 1967United StatesMariner 5Venus flybySuccess
31 July 196925 February 1969United StatesMariner 6Mars flybySuccess
5 August 196927 March 1969United StatesMariner 7Mars flybySuccess
3 December 19733 March 1972United StatesPioneer 10**First Jupiter flyby**Success
5 February 19744 November 1973United StatesMariner 10title = Mariner 10url = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-085Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
10 February 197421 July 1973Soviet UnionMars 4Mars flyby (inadvertent; attempted Mars orbiter)Failure
9 March 19749 August 1973Soviet UnionMars 7Mars flyby (inadvertent; attempted Mars lander)Failure
12 March 19745 August 1973Soviet UnionMars 6Mars flyby (flyby succeeded but lander failed)Failure
29 March 19744 November 1973United StatesMariner 10**First Mercury flyby**Success
21 September 19744 November 1973United StatesMariner 10Mercury flybySuccess
3 December 19745 April 1973United StatesPioneer 11title = Pioneer 11url = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-019Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
16 March 19754 November 1973United StatesMariner 10Mercury flybySuccess
19 December 197814 September 1978Soviet UnionVenera 12Venus flyby and landerSuccess
25 December 19789 September 1978Soviet UnionVenera 11Venus flyby and landerSuccess
5 March 19795 September 1977United StatesVoyager 1title = Voyager 1url = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1977-084Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
9 July 197920 August 1977United StatesVoyager 2title = Voyager 2url = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1977-076Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
1 September 19795 April 1973United StatesPioneer 11**First Saturn flyby**Success
12 November 19805 September 1977United StatesVoyager 1Saturn flybySuccess
25 August 198120 August 1977United StatesVoyager 2Saturn flybySuccess
1 March 198230 October 1981Soviet UnionVenera 13Venus flyby and landerSuccess
5 March 19824 November 1981Soviet UnionVenera 14Venus flyby and landerSuccess
11 June 198515 December 1984Soviet UnionVega 1Venus flyby, lander, and first balloonSuccess
15 June 198521 December 1984Soviet UnionVega 2Venus flyby, lander, and balloonSuccess
24 January 198620 August 1977United StatesVoyager 2**First and only Uranus flyby**Success
25 August 198920 August 1977United StatesVoyager 2**First and only Neptune flyby**Success
10 February 199013 October 1989United StatesGalileotitle = Galileo - In Depth Missions - NASA Solar System Explorationurl = http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/galileo/indeptharchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129221343/http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/galileo/indepthurl-status = deadarchive-date = 2016-01-29website = NASA Solar System Explorationaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
2 July 19902 July 1985European_Space_Agency_logo.svgGiotto**First Earth flyby**, gravity assist for extended mission to [26P/Grigg–Skjellerup](26p-grigg-skjellerup)Success
8 October 199013 October 1989United StatesGalileoEarth flyby, second of three gravity assists to JupiterSuccess
8 January 19927 January 1985JapanSakigakeEarth flybySuccess
8 February 19926 October 1990European_Space_Agency_logo.svgUnited StatesUlyssesJupiter flyby, inclination change gravity assist for solar missionSuccess
8 December 199213 October 1989United StatesGalileoEarth flyby, last of three gravity assists to JupiterSuccess
24 August 199325 September 1992United StatesMars ObserverMars flyby (inadvertent; attempted Mars orbiter)Failure
23 January 199817 February 1996United StatesNEAR ShoemakerEarth flyby, gravity assist to [433 Eros](433-eros)Success
26 April 199815 October 1997European_Space_Agency_logo.svgUnited StatesCassini–HuygensVenus flyby, first of four gravity assists to SaturnSuccess
24 June 199915 October 1997European_Space_Agency_logo.svgUnited StatesCassini–HuygensVenus flyby, second of four gravity assists to SaturnSuccess
18 August 199915 October 1997European_Space_Agency_logo.svgUnited StatesCassini–HuygensEarth flyby, third of four gravity assists to SaturnSuccess
30 December 200015 October 1997European_Space_Agency_logo.svgUnited StatesCassini–HuygensJupiter flyby, last of four gravity assists to SaturnSuccess
15 January 200127 February 1999United StatesStardusttitle = Stardust/NExTurl = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1999-003Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
21 April 20024 July 1998JapanNozomititle = Nozomiurl = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1998-041Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
19 June 20034 July 1998JapanNozomiEarth flyby, last of two gravity assists to MarsSuccess
14 December 20034 July 1998JapanNozomiMars flyby (inadvertent; planned Mars orbiter)Failure
19 May 20049 May 2003JapanHayabusaEarth flyby, gravity assist to [25143 Itokawa](25143-itokawa)Success
4 March 20052 March 2004European_Space_Agency_logo.svgRosettatitle = Rosettaurl = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2004-006Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
2 August 20053 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERtitle = MESSENGERurl = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2004-030Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
15 January 200627 February 1999United StatesStardustEarth flyby and sample return capsule reentrySuccess
24 October 20063 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERVenus flyby, second gravity assist to MercurySuccess
25 February 20072 March 2004European_Space_Agency_logo.svgRosettaMars flyby, second of four gravity assists to [67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko](67p-churyumov-gerasimenko)Success
28 February 200719 January 2006United StatesNew HorizonsJupiter flyby, gravity assist to Pluto/Charon systemSuccess
5 June 20073 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERVenus flyby, third gravity assist to Mercury. Also characterized the planet's atmosphere.Success
13 November 20072 March 2004European_Space_Agency_logo.svgRosettaEarth flyby, third of four gravity assists to [67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko](67p-churyumov-gerasimenko)Success
31 December 200712 January 2005United StatesDeep Impact (EPOXI)title = Deep Impact/EPOXIurl = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2005-001Awebsite = nssdc.gsfc.nasa.govaccessdate = 2015-12-23}}Success
14 January 20083 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERMercury flyby, fourth gravity assist before orbital insertion and primary missionSuccess
6 October 20083 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERMercury flyby, fifth gravity assist before orbital insertion and primary missionSuccess
29 December 200812 January 2005United StatesDeep Impact (EPOXI)Earth flybySuccess
14 January 200927 February 1999United StatesStardustEarth flyby, gravity assist to [9P/Tempel](9p-tempel)Success
18 February 200927 September 2007United StatesDawnMars flyby, gravity assist to [4 Vesta](4-vesta)Success
29 June 200912 January 2005United StatesDeep Impact (EPOXI)title = NASA - EPOXI Mission - Missionurl = http://epoxi.umd.edu/1mission/flybys.shtmlwebsite = epoxi.umd.eduaccessdate = 2015-12-23url-status = deadarchiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091214105059/http://epoxi.umd.edu/1mission/flybys.shtmlarchivedate = 2009-12-14}}Success
29 September 20093 August 2004United StatesMESSENGERMercury flyby, sixth and final gravity assist before orbital insertion and primary missionSuccess
13 November 20092 March 2004European_Space_Agency_logo.svgRosettaEarth flyby, last of four gravity assists to [67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko](67p-churyumov-gerasimenko)Success
28 December 200912 January 2005United StatesDeep Impact (EPOXI)Earth flyby (distant)Success
27 June 201012 January 2005United StatesDeep Impact (EPOXI)Earth flybySuccess
6 December 201020 May 2010JapanAkatsukiVenus flyby (inadvertent; was intended to be orbit insertion; later successfully inserted into orbit in 2015)Failure
8 December 201020 May 2010JapanIKAROSVenus flyby, probe was a technological demonstrator that launched with AkatsukiSuccess
9 October 20135 August 2011United StatesJunoEarth flyby, gravity assist to JupiterSuccess
14 July 201519 January 2006United StatesNew Horizons**First and only Pluto/Charon flyby**The International Astronomical Union classifies Charon as a moon. See Charon (moon)#Classification for details.Success
3 December 20153 December 2014JapanHayabusa2Earth flyby, gravity assist to [162173 Ryugu](162173-ryugu)Success
22 September 20178 September 2016United StatesOSIRIS-RExEarth flyby, gravity assist to [101955 Bennu](101955-bennu)Success
3 October 201812 August 2018United StatesParker Solar ProbeVenus flybySuccess
26 November 20185 May 2018United StatesMars Cube OneMars flybySuccess
10 April 202020 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboEarth flybySuccess
23 July 2020~10 February 2021ChinaTianwen 1 deployable cameraMars flybySuccess
15 October 202020 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboVenus flybySuccess
5 December 20203 December 2014JapanHayabusa2Earth flyby, gravity assist to [98943 Torifune](98943-torifune)Success
27 December 202010 February 2020European_Space_Agency_logo.svgSolar OrbiterVenus flybySuccess
9 August 202110 February 2020European_Space_Agency_logo.svgSolar OrbiterVenus flybySuccess
10 August 202120 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboVenus flybySuccess
1 October 202120 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #1Success
27 November 202110 February 2020European_Space_Agency_logo.svgSolar OrbiterEarth flybySuccess
23 June 202220 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #2Success
4 September 202210 February 2020European_Space_Agency_logo.svgSolar OrbiterVenus flybySuccess
16 October 202216 October 2021United StatesLucyEarth flybySuccess
19 June 202320 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #3Success
24 September 20238 September 2016United StatesOSIRIS-REx/ApExEarth flyby, gravity assist to [99942 Apophis](99942-apophis)Success
19-20 August 202414 April 2023European_Space_Agency_logo.svgJUICE**First double flyby and first Lunar-Earth flyby**Success
4 September 202420 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #4 - **Closest planetary flyby ever done** (165 km altitude)Success
1 December 202420 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #5Success
8 January 202520 October 2018European_Space_Agency_logo.svgBepiColomboMercury flyby #6Success
1 March 202514 October 2024USAEuropa ClipperMars flybySuccess
12 March 20257 October 2024European_Space_Agency_logo.svgHeraMars flybySuccess
31 August 202514 April 2023European_Space_Agency_logo.svgJUICEVenus flybySuccess
May 202613 October 2023USAPsycheMars flybyPlanned
September 202614 April 2023European_Space_Agency_logo.svgJUICEEarth flybyPlanned
December 202614 October 2024USAEuropa ClipperEarth flybyPlanned
January 202914 April 2023European_Space_Agency_logo.svgJUICEEarth flybyPlanned

Notes

References

References

  1. "Flyby | Define Flyby at Dictionary.com".
  2. (14 December 2012). "First Planetary Flyby Occurred 50 Years Ago Today".
  3. (July 2007). "The energy transfer process in planetary flybys". New Astronomy.
  4. Talbert, Tricia. (2015-03-25). "New Horizons: The First Mission to the Pluto System and the Kuiper Belt".
  5. "Venera 1".
  6. "Mariner 2".
  7. "Mars 1".
  8. "Zond 1".
  9. "Mariner 4".
  10. "Zond 2".
  11. "Venera 2".
  12. "Mariner 5".
  13. "Mariner 6".
  14. "Mariner 7".
  15. "Pioneer 10".
  16. "Mariner 10".
  17. "Mars 4".
  18. "Mars 7".
  19. "Mars 6".
  20. "Pioneer 11".
  21. "Venera 12".
  22. "Venera 11".
  23. "Voyager 1".
  24. "Voyager 2".
  25. "Venera 13".
  26. "Venera 14".
  27. "Vega 1".
  28. "Vega 2".
  29. "Galileo - In Depth {{!}} Missions - NASA Solar System Exploration".
  30. "Giotto".
  31. "Sakigake".
  32. "Ulysses - In Depth {{!}} Missions - NASA Solar System Exploration".
  33. "Mars Observer".
  34. "NEAR Shoemaker".
  35. "Cassini Completes First Venus Flyby".
  36. "Cassini Completes Second Venus Flyby".
  37. "Cassini Completes Earth Flyby".
  38. (December 29, 2010). "Press release: Cassini Celebrates 10 Years Since Jupiter Encounter". NASA.
  39. "Stardust/NExT".
  40. "Nozomi".
  41. "Hayabusa".
  42. "Rosetta".
  43. "MESSENGER".
  44. "Deep Impact/EPOXI".
  45. "Dawn".
  46. "NASA - EPOXI Mission - Mission".
  47. "Akatsuki".
  48. "IKAROS".
  49. "Juno".
  50. "New Horizons Pluto Kuiper Belt Flyby".
  51. "Hayabusa 2".
  52. "Juice rerouted to Venus in world's first lunar-Earth flyby".
  53. "Juice's lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know".
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