NASA silence raises questions after missed 3I/ATLAS chasing 'Juno'

NASA silence raises questions after missed 3I/ATLAS chasing 'Juno' (Image: Canva)

Juno was primed to chase the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. A daring manoeuvre around Jupiter was planned for September 2025. The aim is to redirect Juno to intercept 3I/ATLAS by March 2026.

Here the Washington politics intervened and dissolved the plan. NASA issued no clear statement, deepening the mystery.

Opportunity Meets Hard Deadline

The proposal asked for a “Jupiter Oberth” gravity-assist. It needed a velocity change of about 2.675 km/s. Juno’s remaining fuel and time were tight. The U.S. federal government shutdown halted non-essential operations. Funding for Juno was labelled “mission complete” by NASA.

Silence in the Face of Questions

On the key date there were no public logs. No trajectory updates, no engine burn confirmation. Observers questioned on did Juno fire or did it remain idle?

NASA’s silence fuels speculation across the space-science community. Some fear the mission window closed before anyone noticed.

What It Means for Science?

Intercepting 3I/ATLAS would have offered a unique interstellar snapshot. Data on composition, trajectory and origin could inform multiple star-system models. Losing the chance costs not only prestige, but vital science evidence. Deep-space missions depend on both engineering and stable funding.

Lessons Beyond the Solar System

The incident underscores how politics can affect space science outcomes. A probe billions of miles away still relies on Earth’s budget and attention. Future interstellar object missions must consider operational risk curves. The door may now be closed on this rare rendezvous.