Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(130,126 posts)
Mon Jul 4, 2016, 04:50 PM Jul 2016

What 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. “That’s my favorite holiday. And I think this is my favorite Fourth of July that I’ve ever had.”

Space enthusiasts and scientists have eagerly been awaiting this point in Juno’s five-year journey, the first solar-powered spacecraft to travel this far from the sun. If the explorer successfully latches onto Jupiter’s gravity, it will be only the second time that a probe has gone into orbit around the giant planet.

“We’re 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 Juno’s 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?

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What to Expect When NASA’s Spacecraft Juno Gets to Jupiter (Original Post) elleng Jul 2016 OP
The big question for me is, snot Jul 2016 #1
I think you're right, from an interview I heard. elleng Jul 2016 #5
Space critters showing their butts shenmue Jul 2016 #2
Since they're in such a jovial mood, forest444 Jul 2016 #4
Gustav Holst - The Planets - Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity elleng Jul 2016 #6
Ah! Thank you for that. forest444 Jul 2016 #8
Joybringer Cartoonist Jul 2016 #9
This is great science! PJMcK Jul 2016 #3
KNR Thank you! Lucinda Jul 2016 #7

snot

(10,478 posts)
1. The big question for me is,
Mon Jul 4, 2016, 05:01 PM
Jul 2016

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)
5. I think you're right, from an interview I heard.
Mon Jul 4, 2016, 05:48 PM
Jul 2016

The 'techies' are getting numbers, but there's some sort of quasi-visual planned for the rest of us.

PJMcK

(21,916 posts)
3. This is great science!
Mon Jul 4, 2016, 05:23 PM
Jul 2016

Good luck, NASA and Juno!

And happy Fourth of July to Americans anywhere in the Solar System!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»What to Expect When NASA’...