In March 2026, our solar system will receive a rare celestial visitor: the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. According to groundbreaking research published on arXiv, NASA's Juno spacecraft—currently orbiting Jupiter—could be strategically repositioned for a historic close encounter using advanced orbital mechanics. This unprecedented opportunity offers scientists their first chance to study an interstellar object at close range.

The Interstellar Opportunity

3I/ATLAS represents only the third known interstellar object detected passing through our solar system, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and comet Borisov in 2019. Calculations show it will pass within 53.56 million kilometers of Jupiter on March 16, 2026. As lead author Abraham Loeb (famed for his work on 'Oumuamua) and colleagues detail, this trajectory creates a unique window for exploration using existing space infrastructure.

The Jupiter Oberth Maneuver: Precision Orbital Engineering

The proposed operation involves two critical maneuvers:
1. On September 9, 2025, Juno would use 2.6755 km/s ΔV thrust to lower its perijove (closest approach to Jupiter)
2. During this close pass, it would execute a gravity-assisted Oberth maneuver—exploiting Jupiter's massive gravitational field to amplify propulsion efficiency

"For low available ΔV there is no particular benefit in application of a double impulse... however if Juno has higher ΔV capability there is significant advantage," the authors note, highlighting the mission's fuel efficiency.

Engineering Feasibility and Scientific Payoff

Remarkably, the intercept requires just 110kg of propellant—merely 5.4% of Juno's original fuel load. This minimal expenditure could position the spacecraft within 27 million kilometers of 3I/ATLAS by March 14, 2026. At this proximity, Juno's instruments could:
- Analyze surface composition impossible to detect from Earth
- Measure outgassing behavior and rotational dynamics
- Determine structural integrity and density
- Provide definitive classification (comet vs. asteroid)

Why This Matters Beyond Astronomy

Successful interception would demonstrate practical techniques for:
- Rapid response to unexpected interstellar events
- Fuel-efficient trajectory design leveraging planetary gravity wells
- Repurposing existing missions for unplanned scientific opportunities

As the paper concludes: "A close fly-by might be able to probe the nature of 3I/ATLAS far better than telescopes on Earth"—potentially revolutionizing our understanding of material exchange between star systems.

Source: Intercepting 3I/ATLAS at Closest Approach to Jupiter with the Juno spacecraft (Loeb, Hibberd & Crowl, arXiv:2507.21402)