Astronomers have proposed using NASA’s Juno probe to intercept and study the recently discovered interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which is expected to pass close to Jupiter on March 16th, 2026. The team suggests that a Jupiter Oberth Maneuver could shift the Juno spacecraft from its orbit around Jupiter to intercept the path of 3I/ATLAS, providing scientists with a rare opportunity to study an interstellar visitor up close.
The proposal builds on previous research by Harvard University professor Abraham Loeb and his colleagues, who previously suggested that 3I/ATLAS could be an artificial object, such as a derelict spacecraft. The new paper explores the possibility of rendezvousing with 3I/ATLAS using existing technology, rather than launching a dedicated mission to intercept it.
Juno’s suite of instruments would provide valuable data on the nature of 3I/ATLAS, including its composition, magnetic field, and energetic emissions. If successful, the mission could extend Juno’s scientific lifespan beyond its current planned end date in March 2026.
However, recent images from the Hubble Space Telescope suggest that 3I/ATLAS may not be a functioning technological artifact after all, with a nucleus radius of less than 2.8 kilometers. Further study will be needed to confirm or rule out this hypothesis.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/nasas-juno-spacecraft-could-intercept-3iatlas-as-it-approaches-jupiter