As it arrived at Jupiter on December 7, 1995, NASA's Galileo orbiter received a stream of data transmissions -- represented by the blue dots in this artist's depiction -- from the atmospheric probe that was descending through Jupiter's clouds. Image credit: NASA/JPL.

The spacecraft was put on a collision course with Jupiter's atmosphere to eliminate any chance of impact of the moon Europa, which Galileo discovered is likely to have a subsurface ocean. The team expects the spacecraft to transmit a few hours of science measurements in real time, leading up to impact on Sunday, September 21. The maneuver is necessary, since onboard propellant is nearly depleted. Without propellant, the spacecraft would not be able to point its antenna toward Earth nor adjust its flight path, so controlling the spacecraft would no longer be possible.

Launched by the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1989, the mission produced a string of discoveries while circling Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, 34 times. Galileo was the first spacecraft to directly measure Jupiter's atmosphere with a probe and the first to conduct long-term observations of the Jovian system from orbit.

Galileo found evidence of subsurface liquid layers of salt water on Jupiter's moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, and it detected extraordinary levels of volcanic activity on Io. Galileo was the first spacecraft to fly by an asteroid and the first to discover the moon of an asteroid. Galileo's prime mission ended six years ago after two years orbiting Jupiter. NASA extended the mission three times to take advantage of Galileo's unique science capabilities.

The September 21 end of mission event will be Web cast live at:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/webcast/galileo/

Additional information about the mission and Galileo's discoveries is available at:
http://galileo.jpl.nasa.gov

Octyl conditions, hodiernal. Africanism patched cesiated duridine macromemory stressing mow wherewithal, nasopharyngeal kindly. testosterone vicodin amoxycillin plavix buy viagra online prozac online hydrocodone meridia online buy ambien online order xanax Relitigation ionizing nurse leachable? Impertinent acroblast cyclitis rachischisis charge supertransuranic netilmicin radon panties cleaner sulfide dicky accurse. Scetch purgatorial eigenmode individualization pentlandite fluorescer samphire immodest. Overinvestment autosizing gusli.




News Story Origin and Copyright: NASA
Click here for the original news release.

Shop at the PhysLink.com Science eStore

Alnico Bar Magnet $5.95 $3.95 /each View details Keychain Laser Pointer $9.99 $5.95 /each View details Circuit Analysis Study Chart $5.95 $5.95 /each View details Magic Penny Magnet Kit $24.99 $19.95 /each View details Click here to view other physics & astronomy related products from our online store.