Ask about the Juno Probe which can actually approach the object when it get to Jupiter in March 2026. NASA loses nothing by doing so - its scheduled to an EOL dive into Jupiter around that time or shortly thereafter.
When 3i/Atlas approaches Jupiter does NASA have any plans for using the Juno probe to observe it?
Grok:
NASA has not officially confirmed plans to redirect the Juno spacecraft to intercept or observe the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1 ATLAS) during its close approach to Jupiter on March 16, 2026. However, a proposal led by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, along with Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl, suggests that Juno could be maneuvered to intercept 3I/ATLAS using a Jupiter Oberth Maneuver. This would involve applying a total thrust of 2.6755 km/s on September 9, 2025, to adjust Juno’s orbit, potentially allowing it to come within 27 million kilometers of 3I/ATLAS on March 14, 2026, using about 110 kg of propellant (5.4% of its initial fuel). Juno’s suite of instruments, including a near-infrared spectrometer, magnetometer, and visible light camera, could probe the object’s composition and coma, providing valuable data on this interstellar visitor.
However, several challenges make this plan uncertain. Juno, launched in 2011 and orbiting Jupiter since 2016, is scheduled to end its mission in September 2025, with a planned deorbit into Jupiter’s atmosphere. Its engine has not been used since 2017 due to tank pressurization issues, raising concerns about the feasibility of executing the required maneuvers. Additionally, Juno’s instruments are optimized for studying Jupiter, not small, fast-moving objects like 3I/ATLAS, and its camera may struggle to capture detailed images at distances of 20-50 million kilometers. Furthermore, NASA’s funding for Juno ends in September 2025, and redirecting the mission would require additional resources and approval, potentially costing $15 million per six-month extension.
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna sent a letter to NASA’s leadership on July 31, 2025, urging a study to assess Juno’s remaining fuel and the feasibility of extending the mission to observe 3I/ATLAS. Despite this, skepticism within the scientific community and NASA’s budget constraints under the current administration make it unlikely that Juno will be redirected. Other spacecraft, such as the ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) or Mars-orbiting probes, have been considered for observations, but Juno’s proximity to Jupiter makes it the most discussed candidate.
In summary, while a compelling proposal exists to use Juno for observing 3I/ATLAS, NASA has not committed to it, and technical, financial, and political hurdles suggest it is unlikely to proceed.