Mission Name: Juno

Objective: To improve our understanding of the solar system’s beginnings by revealing the origin and evolution of Jupiter.

Mission Type: Orbit.

Encounter date: July 2016

Operational dates: August 2011- October 2017

Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V-551

Lab/Agency: Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California/ NASA

Scientific Instruments: - Microwave Radiometer – analyze the deep atmosphere at radio wavelengths of 1.3 cm to 50 cm. Uses six separate radiometers to measure the thermal emissions - Infrared Auroral Mapper – analyze the atmosphere down to pressures of 5-7 bars at wavelengths of 2-5 µm. Uses both a imager and spectrometer to create high definition images of the poles and how they relate to the magnetic field and magnetosphere. - Ultraviolet Spectrograph – measures the atmosphere in the 78 – 172 nm range. Also includes an imager and spectrometer to analyze the source of the atmospheric emmisions.

Sources:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/spacecraft/index.html http://newfrontiers.nasa.gov/missions_juno.html http://juno.wisc.edu/spacecraft_instruments.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14412988 http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/40566/1/07-2266.pdf Juno was launched August 5, 2011 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The main mission of Juno was to understand the making of Jupiter and possibly all the other planets in the Universe. The main theory behind the creation of Jupiter is known as the solar nebular theory. The solar nebular theory, as stated in our textbook, describes the creation of planets as an evolutionary process. As a star is formed, if it is surrounded by gas and dust, bits of these particles are said to clump together and condense into planets. If this is true, this process as it happens throughout the universe should create multiple planets. The Juno mission is sent to analyze Jupiter’s atmosphere and magnetosphere to test whether Jupiter has a solid core. If it does have a solid core it would verify this theory because many of the elements found within Jupiter originate from the founding of our galaxy. To reach Jupiter, the Juno spacecraft will use Earth’s gravity to launch itself towards Jupiter, arriving five years after its launch date by approximately July, 2016. At this time, the spacecraft will orbit Jupiter for about one year completing 33 orbits around Jupiter. To end the mission, it will complete its orbit with a fiery burst into the oblivion that will be Jupiter’s center. This ending is similar to the Galileo probe that entered Jupiter’s atmosphere in 1995. During the 33 orbits, the Juno mission will focus on two core elements of Jupiter: the atmosphere and the magnetosphere. By analyzing Jupiter’s atmospheric composition, temperature and other aspects, we are able to make gather information and make conclusions as to the formation of the core (i.e. liquid or solid). By analyzing Jupiter’s magnetosphere, we can gather information on how dense the core is, the nature of the heat that Jupiter gives off, and the origin of the magnetic field. The magnetic field has perplexed scientists as to whether it originates from the metallic liquid hydrogen, massively present in Jupiter’s atmosphere, or it is due to the convection present at Jupiter’s core somewhat similar to Earth’s core. The Juno spacecraft will include instruments such as: • A gravity/radio science system • A six-wavelength microwave radiometer for atmospheric sounding and composition • A vector magnetometer • Plasma and energetic particle detectors • A radio/plasma wave experiment • An ultraviolet imager/spectrometer. • An infrared imager/spectrometer
Unlike the other fancy equipment, Juno will also be including a modern color camera, providing the public with a detailed view of Jupiter’s poles. All of this equipment will conduct many various experiments. One of the experiments will be focusing on the magnetic field of Jupiter. Specifically, scientists will be analyzing the particles that make up the field, the particles’ individual magnetic fields and the UV emissions. For example, from past explorations, scientists have been able to determine that the magnetic field is 14X stronger than Earth’s magnetic field and gives off enough radiation to kill a human about 100 times. Secondly, the spacecraft will be measuring the amount of water present on Jupiter’s atmosphere. This water has been present since the moment that Jupiter was created. By analyzing the amount of water present, scientists are able to make assumptions on how much oxygen was present in the area around Jupiter when it was formed. Other experiments will include analyzing the liquid hydrogen and the glowing magnetic poles. To say that Jupiter is a giant is an understatement. Not only is it a giant in size, but it is also a giant in mysteries. Hopefully the Juno mission will help to unlock some of these mysteries and help us to better understand the origins of the Universe.