3I/ATLAS comet: Spacecraft meant to study Jupiter’s 3 moons to now focus on 3I/ATLAS

The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is scheduled to observe interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS between November 2 and November 25. The Jupiter-bound spacecraft will conduct two separate observation periods of the comet. JUICE is traveling toward three moons of Jupiter and is not scheduled to arrive before the early 2030s. The spacecraft will approach within 64 million kilometers of comet 3I/ATLAS during the observation campaign.

The closest approach between JUICE and comet 3I/ATLAS will occur on November 4, when the spacecraft will be 64 million kilometers from the comet, according to Olivier Witasse, ESA Project Scientist. Witasse stated that JUICE was not prepared for mid-journey observations and is currently traveling toward Jupiter's icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.

"All this campaign was unexpected for everybody!" Witasse said.The "uniqueness of these observations" prompted ESA to "prepare this extra observation planning." Five instruments aboard JUICE will collect data on interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during the November observation period.


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"We will be using five instruments: the camera, the near-infrared imaging instrument, the UV spectrometer, the sub-millimetre instrument, and a sensor to image neutral atoms. We are far away (0.5 Astronomical units), therefore, only remote sensing," Witasse stated.

The instruments include a camera, near-infrared imaging instrument, UV spectrometer, sub-millimeter instrument, and neutral atom sensor.

Second observation date details limited

ESA has not released details about the second observation date for comet 3I/ATLAS. November 4 represents the optimal viewing opportunity as JUICE reaches its closest distance to the interstellar visitor.

The second observation date will provide additional data about the comet, according to ESA.

ESA characterizes the observation campaign as a significant opportunity to study 3I/ATLAS, the third interstellar visitor recorded in the solar system.

Data download delayed until February, 2026

Data transmission from JUICE to Earth faces significant delays due to the spacecraft's position and low data rates.

"Due to the position of JUICE with respect to Earth, the data rate is very low. We expect the data to be downloaded only in February, 2026," Witasse explained.

Data reception and download will require weeks because of JUICE's position relative to Earth.

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Comet 3I/ATLAS is emerging from the Sun's glare and will gradually become visible from Earth. Observers will require powerful telescopes to view the interstellar comet.