Driving a Spacecraft: Lucy Goes to Space

The video tutorial explains how the navigation team tracks and adjusts Lucy's trajectory in the solar system. It covers the use of onboard instruments to target asteroid flybys and the communication process between Earth and Lucy, including signal travel time and frequency analysis. The tutorial also discusses contingency plans for handling unexpected anomalies during the mission.

What is the primary responsibility of the navigation team for the Lucy spacecraft?

• To communicate with other spacecraft

• To design the mission's scientific instruments

• To track its position and velocity

• To build the spacecraft

How do the onboard cameras assist the Lucy mission during flybys?

• By sending signals back to Earth

• By capturing images of asteroids and stars

• By measuring the spacecraft's speed

• By providing power to the spacecraft

What factor affects the time it takes for commands to reach Lucy from Earth?

• The size of the spacecraft

• The distance between Earth and Lucy

• The type of instruments used

• The number of asteroids nearby

How is the distance of Lucy from Earth determined?

• By measuring the spacecraft's temperature

• By analyzing the time taken for signals to travel

• By observing the color of the spacecraft

• By counting the number of asteroids it passes

What is a key feature of NASA missions like Lucy in handling unexpected events?

• They rely solely on automated systems

• They avoid any risky maneuvers

• They have no backup plans

• They have contingency plans and expert teams