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Related: About this forumWhat to Expect When NASA’s Spacecraft Juno Gets to Jupiter
'The countdown for the Juno spacecraft to reach its destination at Jupiter is now a matter of hours.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone, Scott Bolton, the principal investigator of the mission, said during a news conference on Monday. Thats my favorite holiday. And I think this is my favorite Fourth of July that Ive ever had.
Space enthusiasts and scientists have eagerly been awaiting this point in Junos five-year journey, the first solar-powered spacecraft to travel this far from the sun. If the explorer successfully latches onto Jupiters gravity, it will be only the second time that a probe has gone into orbit around the giant planet.
Were barreling down on Jupiter really quick, Dr. Bolton said.
NASA Television will begin coverage at 10:30 p.m Eastern time. The crucial moment will be the end of the engine burn, at 11:53 p.m..
Dr. Bolton said even then he would not feel at ease, not until Junos expansive 30-foot-long solar arrays are pointed back at the sun, crucial for a spacecraft that is relying on sunlight for power. The whole game is, get back to the sun before you run out of battery, Dr. Bolton said.'>>>
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/science/juno-nasa-jupiter-what-to-expect.html?
snot
(10,478 posts)will we get any good visuals of Jupiter (or anything else) from Juno? It sounds like that probably won't happen 'til later . . . but tell me if I'm wrong!
elleng
(130,126 posts)The 'techies' are getting numbers, but there's some sort of quasi-visual planned for the rest of us.
shenmue
(38,501 posts)forest444
(5,902 posts)someone should tell them to take Rick Scott back.
elleng
(130,126 posts)forest444
(5,902 posts)One good space turn deserves another.
Cartoonist
(7,297 posts)PJMcK
(21,916 posts)Good luck, NASA and Juno!
And happy Fourth of July to Americans anywhere in the Solar System!