Juno Probe

Recently, NASA’s Juno spacecraft experienced a glitch that caused it to lose over 200 images taken during a Jupiter flyby.

About the Juno Probe:

• JUNO is an acronym for Jupiter Near-polar Orbiter
• It was launched in 2011, the Juno spacecraft initially embarked on a 5-year journey to the largest planet in our solar system.
• Towards the end of its primary mission, the spacecraft’s objectives evolved, and it transitioned into a full Jupiter system explorer with flybys of Jovian moons.
• Goal: Understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter, look for a solid planetary core, map the magnetic field, measure water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere, and observe auroras.

Key facts about the Jupiter

• Jupiter, a gas giant planet covered in thick red, brown, yellow and white clouds, boasts a diameter of about 89,000 miles.
• Interior models based on Juno data indicated Jupiter has a large “diluted” core representing about 5 to 15 % of the planet’s mass comprised of rocky and icy material unexpectedly mixed with light elements like hydrogen and helium.
• It has three moons Ganymede, Europa