Post by glactus on Aug 5, 2011 0:37:22 GMT
Juno at Jupiter
Juno is a NASA New Frontiers mission to the planet Jupiter. It was originally proposed at a cost of approximately US$ 700 million for a June 2009 launch. NASA budgetary restrictions resulted in Juno being re-scheduled to an August 2011 launch on board an Atlas V rocket in the 551 configuration. As of June 2011, the mission was projected to cost $1.1 billion over its life.
Juno in orbit
The spacecraft will be placed in a polar orbit to study the planet's composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. Juno will also search for clues about how Jupiter formed, including whether the planet has a rocky core, the amount of water present within the deep atmosphere, and how the mass is distributed within the planet.
Juno ecliptical orbit
Juno will also study Jupiter's deep winds, which can reach speeds of 600 kilometres per hour (370 mph).
Looking at Jupiter
Credits: These are NASA/JPL images
Text by Wikipedia/Glactus
Telescope in avatar: Meade 16" LX 200 on equatorial pier
Astronomer in avatar: Glactus